City approves supply of 10 million litres of treated effluent

IN AN effort to step up water conservation efforts in the city, approval has been given for the supply of up to 10 million litres of treated effluent to various businesses from collection points in Cape Town

The City is continually working to manage water consumption in Cape Town.

Treated effluent, or recycled water, is wastewater that has been treated at a wastewater treatment plant and then piped via a separate network of pipes to various consumers.

Already, 75 million litres a day is being supplied through permanent pipeline connections.

The City is also rolling out a supply of treated effluent water for flushing toilets in areas where permanent connections exist.

The Mayco member for informal settlements, water and waste services and energy, Xanthea Limberg, said the City had also partnered with the Department of Public Works to reduce consumption at its facilities.

Through the installation of water-saving fittings, the reduction in water pressure and a programme of leak detection and repair, a combined saving of 9.2 million litres a day had been achieved at its 20 biggest facilities, which include defence force bases, police stations and prisons.

“Taking charge of water consumption in this way, along with education and awareness programmes, is one of the most important ways larger customers can help prevent a Day Zero scenario.

“Not only will this assist in increasing water security, but it will also save them money.

“Treated effluent is supplied at a lower cost than municipal drinking water,” Limberg said.

In addition, retrofitting of council buildings and council houses with water-saving fittings continued. The typical fittings in retrofits are aerators, water-saving taps, water-saving shower heads, dual-flush toilet cisterns and water management devices.

Limberg commended Century City, where treated effluent water has been plumbed into various buildings for toilet flushing, including the Canal Walk shopping mall, the conference centre and various offices.

“The City would like to thank those who have taken the time to incorporate the use of treated effluent water in their operations, as this is going a long way towards increasing water security in our city.

“The supply of treated effluent and installation of waterefficient parts are key elements of the City’s long-standing and internationally recognised water conservation and demand management programme,” she said.