Bridging the water

The OKP project ‘Bridging the Water’ has delivered new courses in eThewkini in February. South-African and Dutch trainers teamed up to share their knowledge about wastewater treatment and the production of drinking water. Both groups appreciated the opportunity to develop their theoretical knowledge and noted the demand for more credited trainings to be planned in future. Therefore the continuation of successful deliveries of water and wastewater modules in 2020 remains a priority through the continued collaboration and coordination within the Orange Knowledge Programme.

Nutrient Removal and Sludge Treatment (NRST)
Two Dutch trainers Hans Mollen and Melanie Nuchelmans (both from Brabantse Delta) joined a local trainer, Nkosinathi Buthelezi (eThekwini Municipality), to deliver the Nutrient Removal and Sludge Treatment (NRST) module. This course was held on the 11^th – 14^th February 2020 at the Northern Wastewater treatment plant in Durban. The module was delivered through two groups of process controllers from various wastewater treatment plants in the Durban metropolitan area. Each group consisted of a two day delivery of the module which preceded an exam that followed on the 3^rd of March 2020 at the Durban University of Technology.

The NRST module covered a range of topics in advanced wastewater treatment. The delivery of the module was successful despite initial challenges of lacking participation. Municipal staff enjoyed the delivery of the module stating that the it gave “experience theoretically to boost our practical” working experience adding that through the training they could “apply some things we learn” as it is “relevant to our daily tasks/duties.”

Basics of Drinking Water Production (BDWP)
Dutch trainer Ron Jong joined Prathna Gopi (eThekwini Municipality) to deliver the Basics of Drinking Water Production (BDWP) module on the 11^th-14^th February 2020 at the Pinetown Training Centre in Durban. The module was also delivered through two groups of process controllers from various water treatment plants in Durban. Each group consisted of a two day delivery of the module after which the participants wrote a test on the second and final day of the module and were awarded certificates of completion at the end.

The BDWP module was delivered successfully with a great response in attendance of municipal staff throughout the week and the interactive nature of the module. The participants trained gave positive feedback in the experience they received stating how the training provided “informative, knowledgeable and refreshing team work” amongst municipal colleagues adding that “it was very helpful learning to interact with fellow students, learning styles of teaching” and how this experience was “fruitful.”