The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) in partnership with its entity Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT), hosted industry giants at the City Meets Business stakeholder engagement on June 21.
At the engagement at the Alberton Council Chambers, the MMC for Water and Sanitation Thembi Msane and the managing director of ERWAT Kennedy Chihota, engaged with the top 100 bulk water users and property developers in the city on using water responsibly.
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The purpose of the engagement, themed ‘Responsible Water Usage for Business Continuity’, provides an opportunity for the private-public sector to join heads in finding amicable alternative water-saving methods without crippling their production.
This is amidst the continuous increase in water demand that has put a strain on bulk supply.
Reflecting on the theme, Responsible Water Usage for Business Continuity, the MMC said: “The theme underscores the collective responsibility to manage our water resource effectively while ensuring businesses in Ekurhuleni thrive.
“We also applaud the industries that reduced their water usage by 51% and encourage other industrial water users to follow suit,” said Msane.
The CoE also updated representatives from the business sector on the city’s interventions to reduce non-revenue water.
These interventions include the replacement of aged water meters and leak detection devices, as well as one-on-one engagements with industries to find alternative water-saving methods without crippling their production.
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Chihota explained how ERWAT, the city’s entity mandated to treat wastewater, both domestic and industrial, can assist businesses to pre-treat wastewater effluent before they release it into sewage systems, and how industries can optimise their operations and reduce water usage.
ERWAT is also involved in water reuse and reclamation, supporting the city’s initiative to use water responsibly and sparingly.
The entity pointed out it had a comprehensive range of services for industrial customers, with a specialised commercial business section to solve wastewater issues, while hosting a wide variety of analyses through its SANAS-accredited ISO17025 laboratory.
Among the guest speakers were representatives from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), who highlighted how DWS, Rand Water, and municipalities will cooperate in the water-saving initiative.
