Civil Engineering June 2021 | Vol 29 No 5

T here are growing concerns about the supply and quality of water resources around the world, which has led to a more intense focus on sustainable engineering detail in proposed water-related structures. The response from organisations such as the United Nations – as well as various partici- pating entities such as the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) – has included raising the bar of best prac- tice to ensure more effective integration of engineering aspects with ESG. This is an approach that SRK has long embraced in our methodology, particu- larly in water-scarce countries like South Africa. Here we face considerable risk – as recent droughts have demonstrated – and higher levels of uncertainty in terms of rainfall patterns, linked to climate change factors. It is therefore commendable that the DWS has reflected this global trend in its new water use licence application (WULA) requirements. Their move further prioritises the sound engineering of all existing and proposed structures, including supporting facilities such as silt traps and water diversions. Essentially, project developers will now have to invest in more upfront work to generate detailed engineering specifica- tions for their WULA, before they make their submission to the DWS. This greater detail in terms of projects’ water require- ments and their potential impacts must be factored into project planning and designs in order to protect our water resources. MORE ENGINEERING DETAIL In order for the DWS to consider WULA applications from developers, the ap- plication now requires Stage 3 detailed civil engineering designs, accompanied by proof of concept and a construction quality assurance (CQA) plan. The WULA process has been regulated since 2017, when Government Notice R267 set out the proce- dural requirements for WULAs and appeals. To assist the process, the DWS has developed technical advisory notes (TAN) and design checklists to give effect to the WULA regulations and help its case officers to initially assess the WULAs when they are submitted. This will also allow the readiness of applications to be checked before they are reviewed by DWS Engineering Services. In line with ESG best practice, this framework will also assist ap- plicants in addressing the engineering re- quirements, which must now be conducted upfront rather than after submission. These changes will hopefully also speed up the processing of WULA submissions, although they will certainly require a greater investment in upfront work by project developers. As SRK, we support this new approach, as these new requirements represent a positive move- ment towards responsible engineering. DESIGN CHECKLISTS Apart from the requirements outlined in the TAN from DWS, there are two design checklists – one addressing all Section 21 Jacky Burke PrSciNat Principal Scientist SRK Consulting jburke@srk.co.za Adriaan Meintjes Pr Eng Partner and Principal Geotechnical Engineer SRK Consulting ameintjes@srk.co.za Engineering detail in WULAs supports sustainability A substantial shift in global best practice is demanding a more comprehensive integration of engineering aspects of water management – among other fields – with environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and financial sustainability in all projects. In South Africa, this has recently led to the Department Water and Sanitation (DWS) requiring more detailed civil engineering designs in water use licence applications. 16 June 2021 Civil Engineering Water structures require approval of engineering design works for authorisation of water use prior to construction