Nsezi River Raw Water Pipeline in Richards Bay

AfriCoast Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd was responsible for the design and implementation of the upgrading of the Nsezi Raw Water Pipeline, in the Umhlathuze Municipal Area (incorporating Richards Bay and Empangeni).

Upgrading of the Nsezi Raw Water Pipeline proved to be a challenging and diverse project with elements incorporating everything from environmental considerations to protect critically endangered frog species, technical challenges to unique health and safety requirements, not the least amongst which entailed the installation of “Beware of Crocodiles” signage at the construction site of the Nsezi River crossing.

The required maximum supply capacity of 333 Ml/d to the Mhlathuze Water Treatment Works (WTW) would have resulted in excessive velocities in the existing raw water pipeline that exceed acceptable design and operating parameters.  AfriCoast was therefore responsible for the design and implementation of an eight kilometre long new 1500mm diameter steel pipeline located parallel to the existing 1200mm diameter pipeline.  Included was construction monitoring for Phase 1 of the pipeline installation project over a distance of 4km, entailing the installation of the steel pipeline and appurtenances.

Phase 1 construction was successfully completed at a construction project cost of R143 million.