R70-m services building opens in Prospecton

A NEW eThekwini water and sanitation southern depot has been built in Prospecton at a cost of some R70-m.

“The eThekwini water department operated out of the former Joint Services Board depot in Amanzimtoti, until it was no longer able to accommodate the staff and vehicles required to provide a service to the growing southern operational area.

When the Metro Council was formed, the eThekwini sanitation department inherited the administrative entity’s operational areas which were further extended when eThekwini Municipality’s boundaries were re-determined. Staff from these former administrative entities were housed in separate locations before being relocated to a single depot,” said eThekwini head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa.

“A decision was taken by management to dispose of the depots that no longer satisfied the city’s requirements and to build a new depot for the water and sanitation department that would optimally service the southern area and at the same time, would minimise the cost of providing this service. In this regard, the Real Estate Department was consulted on acquiring a property that would accommodate the water and sanitation department and a site at Jeffels Road in Prospecton was finally selected.

The construction cost of this depot is some R70-m. The staff who provide a service to the southern area from water operations, construction, mechanical and electrical, material management and administration branches have already moved into the depot. The sanitation department systems branch will be re-locating to this depot in June.

“A number of sustainable features were included throughout the depot, including the collection of rainwater from roofs for flushing toilets, watering the garden and washing vehicles,” said City Architects Rob Johnson who was commissioned to head up the design team.

The need for mechanical cooling of the buildings is minimised by the use of cavity-insulated brick walling and roofing. Natural light to the interiors coupled with motion sensors will further reduce electricity consumption.

Regarding external areas, Johnson said the site initially appeared degraded and denuded of vegetation although it was found that indigenous wetland vegetation was thriving in the site’s wet areas.

“The wet areas were a result of the soil conditions which allowed for very slow absorption into the ground, resulting in the engineering requirement for non-permeable roads and parking areas.”

He said the parking areas were split up and positioned to reduce the impression of an “endless black sea of asphalt”. Stormwater from the parking areas is collected in three large ponds, slowing the discharge of water into the stormwater systems.

“Re-using the vegetation found originally, these ponds are populated with indigenous plants to encourage the return of birdlife and animals that used to inhabit the vlei,” said Johnson. “It will also become a green and pleasant working environment.”

This is an operational depot from which engineering and maintenance services are undertaken. Members of the public who have water and sanitation-related queries would need to visit one of the Sizakala Centres.”

For queries, the public can call on the local Sizakala Centre in Mayors Mews, Winklespruit.