Every last drop counts!

Interwaste launches solution to improve South Africa’s water mix

South Africa is facing a major water crisis – with dry taps becoming a norm in big cities across the country. In fact, as an example, residents in Johannesburg have become all too familiar with planned water outages, as well as unplanned shutdowns – all in an attempt to preserve what little water is available and ration it accordingly between the 6 324 000 people who live in the city. 

If we consider that Johannesburg is South Africa’s commercial capital, the impact has been far worse than residents lacking bath water. Businesses in water-reliant industries such as restaurants, gyms, car washes, and construction, amongst others, have also been severely impacted. The lack of water supply has led to businesses going for hours and sometimes days without water and operating for fewer hours – generating less income and creating a knock-on effect in terms of letting staff go, compromised hygiene and increased health risk.

The economic disruption is undeniable – calling for urgent and sustainable solutions to the water crisis.  

So, where do we begin?

The development of these solutions begins with identifying the causes.

Research has revealed that amongst other reasons, inefficient water management is one of the main causes of water scarcity in the country; this speaks to the lack of water conservation infrastructure. The preservation of water through reuse, and waste treatment has been neglected for far too long – with water being used irresponsibly across both the public and private sectors.

A proactive approach to water preservation 

To drive innovative ways to support South Africa’s water conservation requirements, as well as address the dire water shortage facing the country, Interwaste developed a sustainable solution – the newly launched Leachate and Effluent Treatment Plant. The plant is capable of treating approximately 43 million Liters of water per year, - recovering 80 to 90% of it into clean water. Designed with sustainability in mind, the plant's circular approach means that some of this water is reused directly on site, reducing the consumption of precious natural resources and, in turn, mitigating the environmental risks posed by liquid waste while reducing the pressure on our water supply. 

As the first environmentally responsible waste treatment facility in South Africa, the plant uses state of the art technologies and complies with stringent quality standards. In addition to the minimal waste generation, Interwaste uses chemicals responsibly, further reaffirming the organisation’s belief in sustainability and the responsible use of resources.

Key features of the Interwaste Leachate and Effluent Treatment Plant include:

• Flexibility to treat and process a range of liquid waste types including leachate.
• Bespoke pre-treatment processes which balance pH levels and remove elements such as suspended solids, pollutants, and oils to ensure the optimal blend is created enabling the facility to operate within safe conditions, minimising risk and ensuring maximum output.
• Refined concentration methods that separate salts from water.
• Advanced filtration systems to remove remaining constituents from the water.
• Continuous monitoring and control systems to ensure optimal performance and compliance with regulatory standards.

Play your part!

As pioneers of sustainable waste management solutions, Interwaste hopes to inspire individuals, the government, as well as the private sector to employ the circular approach to using water. Addressing South Africa’s water scarcity is everyone’s responsibility and should be a priority – from our homes to our businesses. 

Whenever you use water, consider this: every drop counts!