Pipelines

Owing to budgetary constraints existing 250mm PVC pipes were used to repair a 90m section of the 7km canal that had been washed away in the Tongwane River gorge. The pipes were correctly aligned and anchored using masonry/concrete pillars. However, this should be seen as a temporary solution as the river will eventually scour away the pillars - unless gabion splines are built to protect the pipeline.

GaMabintane, Limpopo, South Africa - Client : Fanang Diatla Selfhelp Scheme - Designed and built by Dams for Africa, July 2003

(1) Before : The pipeline was placed on the ground, and was not correctly aligned in either
the vertical or horizontal sense. This frequently resulted in water borne sand building up at low points resulting in blockages.

(2) After : Mma Agnes Qwabe of Fanang Diatla Selfhelp Scheme at the start of the pipeline.
The pipeline is now in the correct vertical and horizontal alignment, securely fastened to the pillars.

(3) A view of the pipeline after a recent flood. The pillars are now more exposed owing to scouring,
but the pipes are still securely held. Ideally gabion spines are required to put a halt to the scouring at this point of the river.

(4) Each pillar was dug 700m deep and 500mm in diameter. Rocks were used as a 'temporary shutter' when casting the concrete. A steel angle iron was cast into the concrete.

(5) The pipes are being re-positioned onto the pillars.

(6) The pipe is secured to the angle iron. It is thus anchored even during floods.