The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality has been experiencing water challenges for
\nseveral years. As part of one of nine initiatives implemented by the municipality, which comprises
\nGqeberha and Kariega (previously known as Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage respectively), a 460,000
\nlitre bulk water storage tank from SBS\u00ae Tanks was installed.<\/p>\n
\u201cLack of rain in the catchment areas has meant that the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan
\nMunicipality has had to come up with solutions to improve the sustainability of the water supply,
\nand keep water flowing to businesses and residents,\u201d said Mava Gwagwa, Director at SBS Tanks.
\n\u201cOne of the initiatives was to develop a wellfield along the western outskirts of Gqeberha, which
\nincluded a bulk water storage tank from SBS Tanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the Bushy Park area of Gqeberha several boreholes were sited, drilled, tested and equipped with
\npumps. The water from these boreholes feeds collectively into a single 460,000 litre SBS Tank. The
\ntank, along with a booster pump station, is located next to the main bulk supply lines serving the
\nmetro from the west. Potable water from the water storage tank is then pumped into the main
\nsupply, supplementing the water supply to the Metro.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe site posed many challenges. These included difficult sand road access to site, large and
\nspecialised pipework and nozzle requirements,\u201d Gwagwa said. \u201cThis is exactly why SBS Tanks has an
\ninhouse engineering team that can work with consulting engineers, municipalities and other
\nprofessionals to ensure a successful project outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
The modular and lightweight panel construction of water storage tanks from SBS make it possible to
\naccess remote sites with terrain challenges, such as the site at Bushy Park. By collaborating with the
\nmain contractor and consulting engineer on this project, SBS Tanks was able successfully supply and
\ninstall a sustainable and practical storage solution for the project and the overall
\nwater\u00a0supply\u00a0scheme.<\/p>\n