OVERVIEW
Water Lessons for the world from Cape Town’s water crisis.
W
hen the long-term drought was at its worst, tourists to Cape Town were encouraged to “Save like a Local”. Together with a range of technical and legislative measures, the campaign to get Capetonians and their guests to use less water worked remarkably well. Where the residents and businesses of the city were using 1.2-billion litres-per-day in 2015, by the middle of 2018 the figure was 516-million litres. While the taps were not literally turned off (the dreaded “Day Zero” was averted), pressure in the pipes was drastically reduced. The International Water Association’s Water Loss Conference in Cape Town in May 2018 reported that two of the world’s largest advanced pressure control systems are operating in Cape Town. Restrictions on water use were introduced (car washing was outlawed completely, for example) and shopping centres introduced waterless sanitation. Cape Town’s hinterland thankfully experienced good winter rains but the town of Beaufort West in the Karoo continues to face a real crisis. In 2017 Cape Town hosted Water Desalination Symposium Africa, further evidence that relying on rain to ensure reliable supply in the future is not being contemplated. The coastal town of Witsand in the Hessaqua Municipality will receive drinkable water from a plant using reverse osmosis
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SECTOR INSIGHT Solar-powered desalination plant is a world first. desalination technology powered by photovoltaic solar energy. This is world first for the application of this combination of technologies. French company Mascara Renewable Water is responsible for building the plant, in partnership with its local partner, TWS (Turnkey Water Solutions). The response to the water crisis has included companies such as Sea Harvest and Oceana building their own desalination plants. The V&A Water front (pictured), and Tsogo Sun have also invested heavily in water projects. Old Mutual’s large WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2019
