Water Water: Is Net-Zero Evaporating?

AUTHOR: David Jarrett and Team Editor@ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group ChiefExecutiveOfficer

Image:maniacvectorCourtesy: Freepik

Decarbonization efforts at the forefront, is placing extra burdens on water utilities due to water generally being a loss making or breakeven essential service. Water utilities are facing a myriad of challenges even before net-zero becomes a central issue. The issues facing the utility surround aging infrastructure, water loss through leaks and theft, feedwater availability and the willingness of consumers to pay for water

The added responsibility to then meet the organic challenges, with the added impact of climate change that itself is requiring at a minimum, net-zero action, is making it near impossible for water utilities to balance A complexity to this is population growth, expanding the problem creating a moving target As water utilities globally account for two percent of global emissions which is equivalent to that produced by the airline industry, water is essential and so there can be no discussion about reducing use although there is room for reduction of waste or loss.

NamWater as a bulk supplier is no exception to these challenges and will have to lay out a path to economic and decarbonization sustainability While the matter of net- zero is pressing, it should be made with full consideration of the realities facing the utility This extract from the latest public Annual Report (NamWater):

NamWater's infrastructure, which ranges from dams, reservoirs, pipelines and purification plants, is not only expensive to construct but also requires continuous maintenance, which results in the delivery of water as being an expensive exercise

One of the major obstacles for the Corporation is that many Namibians do not reside in areas where water is easily and readily accessible, which requires the construction of pipelines over long distances to ensure the supply of water to these areas shows that the utility concurs and sees the water supply value chain to be central to any solution A 2022 report by CDP (www.cdp.net) show that only eight percent of companies have net-zero targets although In provision of water, electricity is a core resource for pumping, filter processes and treatments operations

NamWater further identifies insufficient water availability as its number one risk and unsustainable water tariffs as rounding off the top ten risks it faces Nowhere is the risk of climate change mentioned in the risk profiles although it is acknowledged as impacting water security issues NamWater also recognises that climate and ESG goals are part of good business but would “take a number of years” before guidelines are present.

We feel that NamWater needs to accelerate its net-zero approach so that it can increase it cost reduction strategy impacts With electricity being the highest financial cost factor at approximately NAD 435 million (USD 23.5 million) and representing 25% of revenue, this is an area to focus on for net-zero and cost reduction.

Working with NamPower, there is room to leverage solar and wind power supplies that would allow for “cleaner” supplies at lower cost structures leading to reduced energy intensity from a GHG perspective. NamWater can provide guarantees, allowing NamPower to contract power purchase agreements on its behalf removing the need for ownership or direct investment costs

Water security can be handled also by the use of renewables for water desalination, leading to a bi-focal benefit structure. During the water treatment process, biproducts, which have previously been regarded as waste, is generated but rather than simply disposing them, they can be treated as secondary raw materials to be recycled and reuse Recovered products can be used as clean water for irrigation and cleaning, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer for farmers, as well as for heat energy and electricity

Using leading practice, water utilities globally have focussed strategies that focus on water security measures, pro-active leadership, water quality and healthy communities Water security also includes flood control measures and so adaptation funding could be an avenue to increase investment approaches. Integrated water cycle planning and system wide planning approaches will extend from harvesting and storage, through to treatment, distributionandreuse.

So, NamWater can start by quantifying its operations through data and other quantification. This will provide a baselinesothatemissionsboundariescanbesetandaction points can be created. While electricity use has been identified here it is not the only source that can create options. Another would be vehicle use shifting to e-fuels, notingthatemobilityisnowcommerciallyavailable

As always, the conversation continues infocus@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

www sawater com au https://aecom com/without-limits/article/water-utilities-net-zero/ https://twri tamu edu/publications/txh2o/2019/summer-2019/10challenges-of-water-utilities/ https://www namwater com na/images/docs/NAMWATER 2021 IAR Web Final pdf https://cdn cdp net/cdpproduction/cms/reports/documents/000/006/179/original/How comp anies in Asia Pacific are preparing for the netzero economy EN pdf?1648712180