Civil Engineering October 2021 | Vol 29 No 9

Civil Engineering October 2021 31 the Covid-19 pandemic, with lockdowns leading to job losses and even more residents unable to pay for services. More than ever, investment in water treat- ment plants needs to deliver long-term value, and an important aspect of this is regular and thorough maintenance; a municipality’s technical staff and plant operators therefore need the right training and systems in place to ensure longevity and efficiency. Support in this sphere can also be found within the consulting engineering fraternity as they can collaborate with treatment plant managers and other technical staff. Being integrally involved in how these plants are designed and con- structed, civil engineers can also help to plan how maintenance is done as well as necessary scheduling. There are also the associated pumping systems and reticula- tion networks that need to be maintained. As a water-scarce country, South Africa needs to develop its capacity to provide adequate water treatment to make the best use of this valuable resource. Civil engineers have much to offer in this process, both as employed professionals within local government, and as consul- tants providing specialist expertise. The profession is increasingly vital to ensuring that citizens receive the water services they deserve. Construction of a new biological trickling filter (bio-filter) CELEBRATING OF BINDER EXCELLENCE Binding Roads, Linking People since 1971 Tel +27 11 323 2000 12 Commercial Road, Wadeville, Germiston PO Box 14159, Wadeville, 1422 www.tosas.co.za Binding roads, linking people.