SDG-6 specifically has a target to reduce the proportion of untreated wastewater by half by 2030, while sustainably increasing water resilience. Water reuse (also commonly known as water recycling or water reclamation) reclaims water from a variety of sources then treats and reuses it for beneficial purposes like agriculture and irrigation, aquifer recharge, industrial processes, and environmental revitalisation. Some municipalities are increasingly incapable of addressing is

Within the water value chain, the main PPP opportunities can be found in desalination, wastewater treatment and water reuse. For developing countries like South Africa, reliable funding from a public partner is key to closing the gap between expansion and access. There is, undoubtedly capacity to engage PPPs across a whole range of municipality types. The Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI) Project Database by the World Bank has data on over 6,400 infrastructure pro

South Africa’s water resources are, in global terms, scarce and very limited - the average rainfall (450 mm per year) is well below the world average (of about 860 mm), evaporation is comparatively high, and not big or navigable rivers exist. Many communities battle with water supply interruptions throughout South Africa. Lots of areas are impacted negatively with no alternatives or experienced technology partners. Water production interruptions or inadequate treatment of wat

The MABR is a high energy efficiency treatment solution that increases treatment capacity, compared to traditional wastewater treatment systems. The MABR process is a fixed-film configuration where the biofilm grows on the membrane, and the oxygen is fed directly into the biofilm in ‘bubbleless’ molecular form via the semipermeable membrane. Wastewater aeration is the process of increasing air content in the wastewater to allow aerobic biodegradation of the pollutants in the

Customers want a better and cleaner world where the beverages they consume are environmentally sustainable. Brewing is a water and energy-intensive process. Wastewater, sludge and effluents are the negative by-products from the brewing process. Increased efforts have been made to reduce the quantity of water and energy used up in the production of a litre of beer produced in breweries, due to water scarcity and to comply with global water efficiency in beer production. Many B

Water stress and polluted water contribute to the death of many African populations daily. Every hour, an estimated 115 people die in Africa from diseases linked to improper hygiene, poor sanitation, and contaminated water, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). Wastewater is used to describe all forms of water which have been degraded in quality as a result of their overall usage. Wastewater that has been exposed to contaminants h

Finding and solving any odor problem can be tricky, but the first step is to identify the source of the problem. Unpleasant smells could derive from raw wastewater being exposed to air at the pump station and primary clarifier stage, as well as any other stage of the treatment process. Causes Rising Temperatures Africa is fortunate to have warm weather conditions, however this causes a challenge when temperatures rise during the hotter months, the temperature of the wastewate

In order to prevent waterborne pollution, wastewater treatment systems have to be specifically designed to effiently treat sewage. Insufficient treatment causes fecal sludge and other forms of water impurities, that spread disease and drive antimicrobial resistance. Having the right wastewater professionals to design your plant is of utmost importance to efficiently convert it into effluent that can be returned to the water cycle without harming biodiversity and aquatic life.

Around 70% of the world's extreme poor live in rural areas and when compared to urban water supply, rural areas present a different set of operational threats. Poor performance of conventional water treatment plants and water supply systems in rural areas can be attributed to substandard maintenance and planning. The maintenance bill problems are related to the complexities of the centralisation and management of such essential systems. Local community members are not equippe

It’s been 15 years since the world crossed a threshold, where for the first time in human history, the bulk of the population settled in urban areas. Today, Africa and Asia are the only remaining continents where the rural population outnumbers the urban. Changes in the parameters of urban streams, followed by decreased water quality, are the most obvious signs of imminent water management challenges. Water Sensitive Urban Design can assist with lowering the frequency and sev

Studies have found that treatment plants with advanced removal technologies, form fewer types and lower levels of harmful by products (known as DBPs) in the product water, due to the reduced use of chemicals, as a result of the highly efficient treatment processes. Surface waters are by regulation, required to be dozed with disinfectants, these disinfectants can react with natural organic matter in the source waters to form disinfection by products (DBPs), that may be highly

South Africa continues try and strengthen municipal capacity and coordinate projects more effectively through a variety of structures. Inappropriate governance and institutional arrangements in managing national water services has a devastating effect on vulnerable communities. Adding to that, depletion of water resources through pollution, environmental degradation, and deforestation places more pressure to implement solutions that are geared to be efficient, innovative and

We envision a future in which all communities have access to sustainable and clean water, which can save lives and increase productivity. The management of affordable and safe water within a fair distance to dwellings, is a complicated task, that needs professional tools and know-how to be effectively achieved. Reducing operational costs can be very difficult, especially in a demanding environment. Decentralised supply systems are the best solution to providing safe drinking

All of South Africa’s major cities are facing water restrictions, which are said to peak over the next 5 years. It is important to highlight the complexities that arise from long term water restrictions, particularly on the health and economy of communities in affected regions. The majority of the healthcare sector provides direct patient care and are subjected to the strictest regulations and standards pertaining to the quality of water used. Choosing the right water treatme

South Africa is home to Africa’s largest economy after Nigeria but is also the world’s 12th largest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases. Energy consumption and costs will continue to increase steadily, while energy represents the largest controllable cost in water and wastewater services, it is also the largest energy consumer. Solar energy in wastewater treatment, is used as a high-quality and reliable source for sustainable electricity. This inexhaustible power source re

Every year South Africa dedicates the month of March to water. Climate change negatively impacts water conservation efforts and South Africa’s River conditions need drastic interventions to be sustainable. Using the available water sparingly will not ensure water security for our current and future generations Building more systems to cater for a rapidly growing continent should be the driving force in the quest for sustainable water supply interventions. Most of South Africa

The economic benefits of having access to an improved drinking water supply can only be taken advantage of when there is improved service delivery and good hygiene practices. Service providers keep people hydrated and healthier, by continuously working to increase and sustain access to water, sanitation, and hygiene – known collectively as WASH. We look at the inherent wider socio-economic impacts, particularly for emerging economies it has. Two billion people have a shortage

The current and future decisions executives will make in response to freshwater scarcity will infiltrate almost every aspect of the economy. The multiple solutions available highlight the complexity of coping with water scarcity. The rapid increase in population, megacities, agriculture production and climate change are increasing rivalry for fresh water and the need for safe water to sustain the health of the consumers. Our experts have briefly summarised the best ways to cu

Complex restrictions on sludge disposal and mounting pressure on the municipal sector to transform and modernize onsite wastewater treatment systems, by increasing access to technological solutions that can simultaneously accommodate these demands. First approach is to adapt to a system that reduces your solids output, making nitrification robustness essential. The South African municipal wastewater sector knows that dealing with sludge represents a bulk of the allocated dail

There are several wastewater treatments plants that were built in the 70s or 80s that now require overhauling and upgrading due to poor structural conditions, larger populations and almost obsolete technologies. Often the required discharge parameters are no longer adhered to, and partially untreated or inefficiently treated wastewater is discharged into the environment, causing pollution of the environment and the deterioration of existing processes. This means that further