HOT SEAT
SOLVING THE
SEWAGE DILEMMA: a closer look at on-site treatment
With the acquisition of Calcamite, JoJo Tanks has transitioned from a water storage company to a water solutions specialist. WASA catches up with Sebasti Badenhorst, sales and marketing executive at JoJo Tanks, about navigating the sewage crisis.
JoJo Tanks purchased Calcamite in 2019. What was the reasoning behind this? SB We are focused on growing the business beyond water storage into a full water solutions company. The purchase of Calcamite falls within that strategy. Calcamite is a leader in on-site sanitation and wastewater solutions. Water and sanitation are invariably linked and that is why Calcamite is a perfect fit for JoJo Tanks. Without suitable wastewater management, we cannot have quality water. The two companies have a symbiotic relationship. Calcamite benefits from JoJo Tanks’ logistics network and JoJo Tanks has greater exposure to the commercial/ industrial space via Calcamite.
We are focused on growing Calcamite and have added a few additional professional skills to the business.
There is an increase in the uptake of on-site wastewater treatment plants in South Africa by businesses, estates, and residents. There is also increased interest in water reuse. Why is this? The Green Drop Report released last year revealed that about half of all wastewater treatment works in South Africa fail to treat sewage properly. Further, 334 of 850 municipal wastewater treatment works are in a critical state. Most of South Africa’s municipal wastewater infrastructure is operating at or over capacity. Some municipalities have even placed a moratorium on developments for this very reason. Wastewater treatment plants that are privately owned and operated on-site are an option when looking to circumvent these moratoriums. Furthermore, with South Africa facing a 17% water supply shortfall in 2030, water reuse is becoming an important strategy. However, neighbouring countries like Sebasti Badenhorst, sales and Mozambique, Namibia, marketing executive, JoJo Tanks and Botswana are a
lot more receptive to on-site wastewater treatment plants. Many of the developers in South Africa are reluctant to make the investment; they are still hoping that the municipality will install a sewerage connection. Furthermore, architects do not want to provide space on the site for these treatment plants. Often, in addition to the municipality not providing a sewerage connection, they do not provide a stormwater connection either. Local professional teams need to tackle the sewage and water crisis head on and provide solutions. On-site wastewater treatment plants do not need to be a grudge purchase; they can differentiate developments and businesses from those that are relying on collapsing municipal services and can help create green buildings. You recently supplied the Zebediela Mall with a wastewater treatment facility. Can you provide some background on this? There is little water and wastewater infrastructure in Limpopo. Water tankers are a common sight. Zebediela Mall used to rely on the delivery of 80 000 litres of water daily.
