ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO TRADITIONAL SERVICE DELIVERY CHALLENGES

Municipalities face many challenges in the delivery of essential services to rural and urban communities and the commercial sector. Budgetary constraints, key personnel shortages and, in the case of rural communities, lack of infrastructure all impact the provision and efficiencies of services. Key to managing these challenges is identifying alternative solutions to traditional services.

Are public-private partnerships the solution?

By partnering with commercial service providers and original equipment manufacturers, municipalities can leverage skill sets such as in-house engineering and project management teams, at no additional cost. This will have a positive spin-off on both efficiencies and cost of service delivery, especially in rural regions with smaller staffing and taxpayer bases.

“Identifying trusted commercial contributors with a vested interest in economic growth, and development and experience in service delivery at both national and provincial levels will alleviate much of the pressure on the municipal sector,” says Mava Gwagwa, director, SBS Tanks. “The commercial sector needs to support the public sector in addressing socio-economic and climate concerns, and help drive progress in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Partnering with businesses in the commercial sector that have identified solutions to existing problems, such as the need for rapid delivery of basic water and sanitation services with a reduced carbon footprint, and renewable energy generation solutions to ease the strain on the national grid, will assist municipalities to make further progress and impact.

Doing good is doing good business

Gwagwa, who has worked with the municipal sector in South Africa for several decades, believes that by supporting the delivery of basic services, such as clean water and sanitation and decentralised energy generation solutions, the private sector will not only provide the much needed support required to move delivery forward, but will also see a direct economic benefit.

“Doing good is good for business. That should be every business owner’s mantra – it certainly is at SBS Tanks. We ask ourselves daily, ‘Did I do what I could, with what I have, where I am?’ This helps ensure that the solutions we provide – whether it is bulk water storage, effluent processing tanks, renewable or backup energy or water storage systems – are adaptable, fit for purpose and go the distance.”

SBS Tanks, Africa’s leading manufacturer of bolted steel panel water storage tanks with an internal liquid storage liner, has worked with municipal and consulting engineers across the globe for 25+ years. With over 3 000 tank installations in more than 23 countries, SBS Tanks has earned the reputation as a trusted global brand that delivers exceptional quality and reliability.

Why SBS Tanks?

Why municipal and consulting engineers and professionals choose SBS Tanks:

• Professional support from an experienced team of in-house engineers, project managers and installers ensures a hasslefree installation. SBS teams work with municipal managers, engineers, consultants and contractors, alleviating the pressure on short-staffed and stretched municipal teams.

• Modular design and lightweight components allow for ease of transportation across any terrain. This is highly beneficial for regions with extreme terrain and where road infrastructure has not been completed. This also has an environmental spin-off, reducing the impact on flora and fauna, as well as community disruption.

• Solutions for water storage need to acknowledge that South Africa is a water-scarce region. The construction of concrete water storage reservoirs is water intensive, reducing the availability of water for communities.

• Water storage tanks from SBS Tanks utilise 2% of the carbon footprint of the equivalent concrete reservoirs. Additionally, the modular design of SBS Tanks reduces environmental disruption and impact, embracing green building practices.

• Simple site preparation and quick installation with no heavy-duty or noisy equipment requirements.

• Safe installation from the ground up with in-house safety, health, environment and quality management teams.

• Over 500 tank size options with capacities from 7 000 litres to 4.2 million litres. Designed to suit the application, site location and project-specific requirements, SBS Tanks has become the preferred provider of modular water storage tanks in South Africa.

• SBS Tanks has developed liquid storage tanks to meet the needs of a wide range of industries and standards. These range from rainwater harvesting to bulk water, effluent wastewater or recycled water storage, mine water systems, backup or fire suppression water storage.

• SBS Tanks is a Proudly South African company that manufactures and supplies products to the local and global markets, supporting economic growth and development.

• Water storage tanks from SBS are ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified and produced in a world-class manufacturing facility.

“Municipal managers, planners, engineers and consultants have come to recognise that SBS Tanks is not only a trusted brand, but a partner that is ready and willing to ease the load,” says Gwagwa. “We have earned that reputation by delivering a premium product for more than two decades, honouring our ‘10-Year No Leak’ warranties, and providing project management, installation and service excellence. I am confident that no other supplier in the steel panel water storage tank market can say the same!”

With experienced sales, project management, health and safety and installation teams across the length and breadth of South Africa, as well as in East and West Africa, SBS Tanks is Africa’s leading manufacturer and supplier of ISO-certified steel panel water storage tanks fitted with an internal liner.

“SBS Tanks is willing and able to partner with municipal teams to build a water- and energysecure future for South Africa. We can and will go the distance – no matter how remote or rugged the terrain,” Gwagwa concludes.