V&A INVESTS IN ENVIRO-FRIENDLY WATER SECURITY

In 2016, Murray & Roberts Water secured an exclusive licence agreement for Organica Water’s wastewater treatment technology,and one of the first potential clients it engaged in this regard was the V&A Waterfront (V&A) in Cape Town.

Having identified and promoted itself as an environmentally conscious tourist destination, the V&A recognised the value of Organica Water’s technology. Given that this technology could also provide water security during drought conditions, a number of potential sites and treated effluent re-use options were evaluated and considered. However, it was only after representatives of the V&A visited the Organica Water resource recovery demonstration facility in KwaZulu-Natal that a decision was finally made to invest in this technology.

As a result, Murray & Roberts Water will soon be relocating the demonstration facility to a central site at the V&A, where it will treat sewage generated within the waterfront precinct. The treated effluent will be used to flush toilets in the shopping mall, while excess treated effluent will irrigate the precinct gardens.

“We could not have asked for a more visible location to deploy the Organica technology commercially,” says Kuvan Govender, business development manager at Murray & Roberts Water. “We are confident that it will generate interest and secure further contracts.”

Organica Water brings a highly imaginative approach to wastewater treatment in urban and suburban areas. Organica’s treatment facilities utilise active biofilms on natural (plant) and/or engineered (patented biofiber media) root structures, all housed in a fully enclosed, odourless facility. The result is a solution which offers a 50% to 75% reduced physical footprint compared to conventional wastewater treatment solutions, with an up to 30% reduction in operational costs – all in the form of a pleasant environment that’s similar to a botanical garden.

“An Organica-powered facility is more than just a wastewater treatment plant; it is also a water reclamation garden, an educational facility and a symbol of sustainability in the community that enables cost-efficient water re-use and allows for maximised development opportunities, particularly in populated areas where footprint and odour are significant concerns,” concludes Akhil Barar, chief executive of Organica Water.