Rehabilitation stream with minimal erosion.
methodologies to analyse flow velocities and depths, we
can give a more detailed picture of flood risk potential.
This allows us to identify and prioritise the most effective
mitigation methods, applying targeted interventions that
are more economical for the client.”
Another important advance in addressing high run-off
levels has been to slow down the flow of water at source.
Residential developments — with their extensive roof
space and paved areas — are now encouraged to establish
attenuation ponds to catch water running off from these
areas and thus slow down their entry into the river system.
“It is important that this is done at the time of building
the development, as there is seldom the physical space
available for an attenuation pond if it has not been built into
the original design,” he says.
In terms of the problem of water supply in dry times,
municipalities often struggle to meet the demand for water
from their ever-increasing urban populations. Here, the
challenge is to drive home the importance of capturing
more of our rainfall run-off so that it can be re-used, either
in the home or in industry.
“It is encouraging to see more people using water
tanks to store water that runs off their roofs, as this can
be used for irrigation instead of the more expensive
and scarce potable water that has been treated by the
municipality,” says Shepherd. “Residential complexes are
also tending to install borehole water for irrigation, which
is a positive trend.”
Boreholes are also common water sources in smaller
towns and rural villages, and SRK is regularly involved in
helping clients identify where boreholes may present the
most suitable solutions for water supply.
24
Water Sewage & Effluent January/February 2018