Abstract
M.Ing. (Engineering Management)
Water and sewer infrastructure systems have numerous complex components from a mu-nicipal operational and maintenance perspective such as recurring water pipe bursts and sewer blockages. This prompted the study to assess, analyse and quantify the characteristics of factors that compromise water distribution and sewer services reliability around Johannesburg (used as a case study). The aim of the study is to investigate water and sewer infrastructure challenges by researching the relationship between operations, maintenance, design and construction. Furthermore to develop a short-term framework that should improve the day to day operations based on data findings that highlight common failures.
The common trend found in the literature case studies is the use of a water audit as a basis for assessing bursts, blockages, leaks and water losses. The water audit approach enables researchers to discover patterns in big data without formulating hypotheses by using a grading system (Lycett, A., 2013). Prioritizing water and sewer projects based on complaint loggings from residents are a common trend within the case studies. Existing frameworks from an Operations & Maintenance (OM) perspective responded to problems according to a level of response criteria and category to prioritize pipeline failure accordingly. The common software trend in literature is the Geo Information systems (GIS) database integrated with Systems Applications Product Plant Maintenance (SAP PM), CCTV, Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) where pipeline works for water and sewer are updated on the database drawings than loaded (East Water Valley District, 2014) on Information Management systems(IMS).
The Johannesburg Metro Council had approximately 61.5 water and 50.5 sewer blockages/spillages related failures reported per day. An approximate total of 112 infrastructure failures were recorded daily. Data found for water infrastructure highlighted Asbestos Cement (AC) pipes grading had the worst case with Grade E, which was water infrastructure, unfit for intended purpose. AC pipes needed to be replaced as the rate of failure or frequency of failure was too high at approximately 97.56%, however, pipe accessories e.g. valves, hydrants and meters had a Grade C system which were systems that were mediocre and required attention. The pipe accessory failures were not dreadful, but needed some attention to fix the failures through a framework. Roots in sewer pipes were the main cause of sewer blockages and spillages. A grading of Grade E for sewer infrastructure was obtained, which was sewer infrastructure unfit for intended purpose. In contrast foreign material deposited in the sewer line obtained Grade C which was systems that were mediocre and required attention. Sewer overflows were due to capacity issues and obtained Grade A, which...