Africa is primarily a water scarce continent, subject to rapid development and this calls for the utmost prudence in managing available water resources. In response, SSI has developed a number of sophisticated, yet practical, water resource modelling tools. Principal among these is the Water Resources Simulation Model (WRSM2000) — the most widely used rainfall-runoff model in South Africa, currently also proving itself in other SADC countries. We’ve also developed a spectrum of other software programmes to deal with a range of water resource issues.
We have extensive experience of the Water Resources Yield Model, used to determine yield from a multi-reservoir system in complex water resource systems subject to competing water demands associated with penalty structures.
SSI has undertaken many hydrological and water resources projects for our national government and for water research and mining organisations throughout southern Africa.
Our expertise incorporates:
Water resource modelling and analysis
Hydrological analysis (large and small catchments)
Situation assessment studies and water resource surveys
Development of water resources software
Water quality model development
Hydraulics of river systems
Support disciplines
PROJECTS
Updating of the integrated water resources of the whole of South Africa by means of the enhanced WRSM2000 model, for the Water Research Commission
This project involves updating the water resources of the entire country (previously done in 1990 - the WR90 project) using the enhanced WRSM2000 model. This model has been upgraded from being a surface water resources model to an integrated water resource model by including the groundwater — surface water interaction, streamflow reductions such as alien vegetation and afforestation and more advanced methodology for irrigation and wetlands. The model is still to be enhanced further by incorporating databases and a GIS Viewer and will ultimately be incorporated into a framework which will include water quality and Ecological Reserve models. The output from this study should greatly facilitate water resources studies across the entire country. This is an extremely innovative project which involves incorporation of leading edge technology in water resources and computer science.
