Leak awareness - Munitech innovation
In response to the increasing awareness of water
loss management within the municipal arena and in
keeping with Munitech’s core focus on municipal
operations and maintenance management, a leak
detection department has recently been established.
The Munitech team has undertaken work in eThekwini
(Durban), Ilembe (Stanger) and Greytown.
“Increasing pressure on water resources has resulted in water
loss management assuming a critical role in how municipalities
manage their water reticulation systems,” says George Iliev of
Munitech. “Active leak detection and the repair of aging
infrastructure are pivotal components of water loss management.
The location of underground leaks is an exacting process,
which requires professionally trained, motivated and well
equipped staff to execute each task effectively.”
Ndumiso Kubeka and George Iliev interpret a field correlation
Iliev adds, “Munitech has initiated an innovative GIS based
management system for leak detection and repair. Using GIS
to manage the process has reduced the number of exceptions
and provides a strong platform from which to analyse data
from subsequent sweeps of an area.”
Active leak detection encompasses activities ranging from
walking the reticulation lines and observing visible leaks, to
the deployment of sophisticated acoustic sensing equipment
that ‘listens’ for leak noises on submerged pipes.
George Louis and Mlondi Dladla interpret a field correlation
Munitech has recently completed a contract for leak detection
and repair services in the Southern Operational Area of
eThekwini. Field teams have undertaken numerous leak detection
sweeps of rural, peri-urban, suburban and industrial areas and
have contributed to a reduction in real loss as part of eThekwini’s
Non-Revenue Water Reduction Programme.
“Careful planning of leak detection sweeps and accurate
management of field data resulting from these sweeps is critical.
Managing a leak from detection, through the repair process,
to quality control of the repair, is key to a successful water loss
management programme,” states George Illiev.
Email George Illiev: [email protected]
Siyabonga Sithole using an
electronic listening stick.
Maragra factory expansion project
Phase one of the 230 TCH Maragra Factory expansion project was completed on time, for the 2009 crush season.
Phase 1 of the Maragra Açúcar Factory Expansion Project required the replacement of the
ejector type vacuum systems with a liquid ring vacuum pump system based on a closed
seal water design concept. The project also included improvements to the raw water
pumped storage and cooling water supply system and refurbishment of Pan# No. 8 was
undertaken jointly with the factory team. Two A-strike receivers were re-positioned and
provided with new drives and the mixed juice scale was raised and its throughput capacity
increased. The syrup clarifier was also modified to improve recovery efficiencies. The pan
floor received a new MCC and the existing variable speed drives were repositioned.
Pan floor at Maragra
Russell Myers, of Construction International Alexander Forbes Risk Analysis, paid tribute
to Martin Yeoman and the construction team, as well as Maragra’s factory team, for the
efficient manner in which the project had been implemented. He also complimented them
on the successful integration of the project with the existing operations. Phase II is progressing
well and is scheduled for completion by April 2010.
Email Nico Wentzel: [email protected]
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