Scribd
Upload
37 views3 pages

Stormwater Drainage Construction Method

The document outlines the method statement for constructing stormwater drainage and associated infrastructure at Kusile Power Station, focusing on site clearance, preparation, and construction activities, particularly in wetland areas. It emphasizes environmental protection measures, including restricted access for experienced teams, proper management of construction materials, and rehabilitation of disturbed areas post-construction. Key procedures include manual excavation, careful stockpiling of topsoil, and the installation of sediment barriers to minimize environmental impact.

Uploaded by

Ganapathy Subramanian
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
37 views3 pages

Stormwater Drainage Construction Method

The document outlines the method statement for constructing stormwater drainage and associated infrastructure at Kusile Power Station, focusing on site clearance, preparation, and construction activities, particularly in wetland areas. It emphasizes environmental protection measures, including restricted access for experienced teams, proper management of construction materials, and rehabilitation of disturbed areas post-construction. Key procedures include manual excavation, careful stockpiling of topsoil, and the installation of sediment barriers to minimize environmental impact.

Uploaded by

Ganapathy Subramanian
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Method Statement for Construction of Stormwater Drainage and Associated Infrastructure at the

Kusile Power Station, near Delmas, Mpumalanga

1. SITE CLEARANCE AND PREPARATION ACTIVITIES

Prior to the commencement of construction activities, the development site for construction of the
various infrastructure for the proposed stormwater drainage and associated infrastructure, will be
cleared and prepared.

The no-go areas for construction activities will be clearly demarcated and review by the Environmental
Control Office (ECO) prior to construction commencing. No laydown areas will occur within the no-go
areas. The construction footprint will be physically demarcated and approved by the ECO as per the
approved Site Layout Plan.

Environmental Awareness Training will take place with the construction crew as per the conditions of
the Environmental Authorisation, Water Use License and the Environmental Management Programme
(EMPr).

A portion of the proposed groundwater drainage outlet pipe (approximately 32m) will occur within
the channelled valley bottom wetland.

The Contractor will be required to utilise experienced teams when working within the wetland, and
ensure that all staff are adequately informed of the environmental guidelines and statutory
requirements of working within the wetland.

The following requirements will be adhered to by the Contractor:

• Existing access roads are to be used where possible;


• Clear barriers must be erected showing areas of no access;
• The development footprint work area must be cleared of vegetation and topsoil; and
• No heavy machinery will be allowed in the wetland area.

2. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

The construction activities within a wetland area is restricted access to experienced teams only, and
no other access must be allowed by the Contractor.

Once the construction area has been prepared, remove the top 300mm of material and store
separately from any other excavated material. This material must be stockpiled and maintained
outside of the 35m wetland buffer zone. Construction activities within the wetland will be kept to as
short a period as possible to limit erosion and unnecessary damage to the drainage system.

Excavation, where possible, must only be carried out within the dry seasons as this will minimise
compaction of the underlying material and reduce possibility of stormwater run-off through the
excavation and into the drainage system. The stormwater control system must be in place during
construction to the approval of the ECO and Engineer. Sediment barriers should be installed
immediately downstream of the works. All excess material must be removed to a registered landfill
site or designated area on site.
All construction material must be stored outside of the wetland buffer zone. Batching of concrete and
refuelling of plant and smaller equipment may not be carried out within the buffer. This must be
management within designated areas.

3. CONSTRUCTION OF THE GROUNDWATER DRAIN OUTLET PIPE IN THE WETLAND

The proposed drain outlet pipe will convey groundwater that is found underneath the proposed East
Settling Tank (EST) to the wetland, and it will not contain stormwater runoff. Appropriate mitigation
measures must be in place, such as excavations within the wetland must be through manual labour to
avoid the use of heavy machinery. The construction servitude must be rehabilitated post-construction.
No other infrastructure and laydown areas will be allowed within the wetland. The construction
servitude for the proposed 200mm dia groundwater drain outlet pipe must be restricted to 4,8m from
the centre line of the pipeline. The remaining areas of the wetland are no-go areas for construction
activities.

(a) Typical pipeline construction methodology

A predetermined length of construction corridor is prepared, excavated, the pipe placed, the trench
backfilled, and the area reinstated before the subsequent area can be excavated.

(b) Site Preparation

The site preparation begins with a preliminary survey and staking exercise where the footprint of the
construction area is pegged, and the area is “grubbed” or cleared of vegetation and rocks. This clearing
is usually undertaken using hand teams with clearing tools (manual labour) when working within the
wetland and the 35m wetland buffer. The pre-ordered pipes are then strung along the construction
corridor and moved to the open trenches (discussed below) as they are required.

(c) Trenching and Bedding Preparation

The trench excavation begins with the staking of the centreline by the surveying team. This is followed
by the actual excavation of the trench along the centreline. The topsoil is typically removed and
stockpiled away from the trench to avoid contamination with the underlying subsoil material. The
subsoil material is then excavated and placed alongside the trench. Once the trench has been
excavated to the design specification, suitable bedding is placed in the trench. This bedding is usually
comprised of granular material and serves as a layer between the pipe and the underlying material.

(d) Bedding Requirements

The given amount of bedding material required will be calculated once the pipeline design is complete.
The bedding material required, will be sourced from on-site excavations where possible and will be
required for the entire length of the pipeline construction. Thereafter, the pipeline will be placed
within the trench.

(e) Backfilling and Compaction

Once the pipe has been placed and tested, the backfilling operation can begin. The trench is backfilled
in the reverse order to the excavation process, typically starting with suitable subsoil material. The
trench is then compacted. Any surplus subsoil material is usually spread out evenly over the working
area, and should be followed by the careful placement of the topsoil. Spoil (soil over and above that
which can be returned to the trench or the working area) is removed from site to landfill (for use as
cover material) or alternative suitable sites which have been vetted for spoil acceptance.
(f) Re-instatement and Rehabilitation

Once the topsoil has been evenly applied, the site must be allowed to rehabilitate with indigenous
plant species. Disturbed areas are readily colonised by alien invasive plant species and the work area
will have to be managed in this regard. Grasses will be planted along the operational phase servitude
as deep-rooted trees will damage the pipeline.

Common questions

Powered by AI

In the wetland, construction must use manual labor to avoid heavy machinery, whereas standard procedures often involve machinery for trenching and placing pipes . The construction servitude is strictly limited to 4.8m from the centerline of the pipeline, and other infrastructures are forbidden within the wetland to minimize impact . Environmental considerations include mitigating the work to preserve wetland integrity, rehabilitate the construction servitude afterward, and ensure alien invasive management .

Measures include using manual labor for excavation in the wetland to reduce disturbance from machinery . Construction areas are clearly staked and pegged to control disturbance, and all construction material storage, batching, and refueling happen outside the wetland buffer zone . Additionally, sediment barriers are installed immediately downstream to prevent siltation .

Standard construction environments may broadly allow the use of machinery and often act within a larger footprint, but wetland-sensitive approaches require manual labor, restricted machinery usage, and stricter footprint limitations to protect fragile ecosystems . Standard sites might not need stringent access control and buffer zone management critical in wetlands, where batching and material storage are managed within designated zones to prevent contamination . While standard projects prioritize efficiency, wetland-sensitive projects emphasize ecological integrity.

The construction project integrates environmental management through restricted use of heavy machinery, manual labor for wetland excavation, and post-construction rehabilitation to restore the ecosystem . Mitigation measures like sediment barriers and designated refueling areas illustrate how environmental practices are embedded in each phase to minimize impacts . This demonstrates a balanced approach to infrastructural development within ecologically sensitive areas.

Trench excavation should be handled with great care: topsoil is removed and stored separately from subsoil to prevent contamination, and the trench is carefully excavated to design specifications . Backfilling is done in reverse order, ensuring proper compaction to restore land stability. The topsoil is spread evenly, facilitating plant growth . This methodology, combined with manual labor and controlled access, helps maintain minimal ecological disturbance .

The Environmental Control Office is critical in ensuring environmental compliance by reviewing and approving site plans, overseeing that no-go zones are respected, and authorizing the construction footprint . They ensure all activities within and around wetlands conform to guidelines, reduce ecological impacts, and maintain overall project compliance with environmental authorizations and water use licenses .

Critical factors include demarcating no-go areas and reviewing them with the Environmental Control Office, ensuring no laydown occurs in these areas, and conducting Environmental Awareness Training for the crew . It also involves using existing access roads, erecting clear barriers for no access, clearing vegetation and topsoil from the development footprint, and restricting heavy machinery from wetland areas .

Environmental Awareness Training ensures construction crews understand the environmental significance of the areas they work in, statutory obligations, and practices required to minimize their impact . The training integrates information on no-go areas, use of existing roads, proper waste management, and storage outside buffer zones. This methodology is crucial for fostering an environmentally responsible workforce and ensuring projects adhere to environmental management plans .

Non-adherence can lead to ecological degradation of the wetland, increased erosion, sedimentation, disruption of native species, and potential legal and financial repercussions for violating environmental authorizations and water use licenses . This might also result in non-compliance with statutory environmental requirements and cause long-term impacts on the wetland's ecosystem services .

Rehabilitation is crucial for restoring the ecological balance of the disturbed area, promoting recolonization by indigenous plant species, and preventing the establishment of alien invasive species . In a wetland, re-establishing native vegetation helps maintain the ecosystem functions and services. Inappropriate rehabilitation can lead to lasting ecological damage and project non-compliance .

You might also like