Witbank, 8 August 2023:
Untapped Potential: How Water Treatment Transforms South African Enterprises.
South Africa faces an escalating water crisis with growing tariffs and water shortages. Businesses grapple with astronomical utility bills, while compromised water quality raises the urgency for treatment solutions. SEWTREAT offers innovative technologies to address water challenges, safeguarding financial stability, water security, and quality. Immediate action is vital for a resilient and sustainable future.
Navigating South Africa’s Water Challenges in the Commercial Sector
Amidst the arid landscapes and bustling metropolises of South Africa lies an ever-growing concern that looms silently but relentlessly: the escalating water crisis. Over the past decade, water tariffs have surged by more than 300% in cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and eThekwini, outpacing even the staggering cost of electricity amidst load shedding.
Additionally, water shortages, exacerbated by leakages, depleted water supply, and poor management, have further threatened businesses and communities alike. The distressing impact of compromised water quality, exemplified by the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal earlier this year, has underscored the urgency for effective water treatment solutions.
Let us step into a compelling exploration of South Africa’s commercial sector as we navigate through its tumultuous water landscape. Uncover the obstacles presented by escalating water tariffs, concerns surrounding water quality, and the pressing issue of inadequate water security.
The compelling imperative of escalating municipal water tariffs grips the business landscape, surpassing inflation by a staggering fourfold since 1996. As a result, businesses find themselves burdened with astronomical utility bills, wrestling with the impact. Take, for instance, the Pick n Pay Eastport Logistics office park, which faced monthly tariffs exceeding R340,000. However, with SEWTREAT’s innovative water solutions, incorporating rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment, the office park now reveals impressive annual savings of 4.7 million Rand.
A similar scenario unfolded
at the Merino Mall, co-owned by Moolman Group and Abland, on the verge of monthly water and sanitation tariffs totalling R152,721.09—a jaw-dropping 1.8 million Rand annually on water alone. SEWTREAT’s introduction of water and wastewater treatment technologies proved transformative, allowing the mall to save over R100,000 per month, with a remarkable payback period of just over 2 years on the implemented plants.
The impact of water tariffs on companies cannot be underestimated, but the pressing issue of water shortages also plays a major role in their operations and financial stability. Without a reliable water supply, businesses face substantial losses by the minute, making the imperative of addressing this issue ever more apparent.
In Johannesburg, water supply remains a critical matter, with the municipality struggling to keep up with demand, exacerbated by ongoing load shedding. The looming question remains: how long before water shedding becomes a reality?
Sindy Peters highlighted a critical statistic in her article earlier this year, stating that “non-revenue water in municipalities – water that is pumped and then lost or unaccounted for – is estimated at 41%. South Africa loses approximately 1,660 million cubic meters of water annually, mainly due to leaks, amounting to a staggering R9.9 billion down the proverbial drain.”
Moreover, additional articles in the Daily Maverick, Business Tech, and Engineering News warn that water-shedding in South Africa is increasingly becoming a reality. While not yet implemented on a national scale, the frequency of disruptions in water delivery systems due to water shortages is on the rise.
Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape recently experienced the brunt of water shedding, with its implementation taking place in June this year.
Water security is an equally pressing concern that demands immediate attention. The critical lack of water security is primarily driven by the distressing state of wastewater treatment plants. Reports by The Mail and Guardian and the Greendrop Report have shed light on the alarming issues of poor management, mismanagement, and corruption plaguing these crucial facilities
As the water crisis deepens, it is imperative for businesses and authorities alike to take immediate action to address water tariffs, water quality, and implement sustainable water management practices. Failure to do so threatens not only the financial stability of companies but also the well-being of communities and the overall economic resilience of South Africa.
The challenges of escalating water tariffs, water shortages, and compromised water security may seem daunting, but there is hope on the horizon. Business owners, asset managers, and financial managers now have an opportunity to take action and secure a water-resilient future for their enterprises.
SEWTREAT, a dynamic company challenging the status quo, offers innovative water solutions tailored to any business’s needs. By embracing SEWTREAT’s cutting-edge technologies, businesses can achieve direct cost savings, bolster water security, and enhance water quality simultaneously.
The time to act is now. By partnering with SEWTREAT businesses can navigate the turbulent waters of escalating water challenges, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for themselves and the communities they serve. Let us seize this opportunity to pave the way toward a water-secure tomorrow.