UJ designs mobile lab to aid in water contamination testing

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has created a mobile lab for water testing, amid various sewage spills in South Africa.

The Transnet National Ports Authority reported earlier this month that it had prohibited angling and diving activity at the Durban port, owing to a massive sewage spill in the area.

Engineering News, 14 May 2019

Coca-Cola outlines its work on replenishing water in Africa

Multinational beverage company Coca-Cola has outlined its efforts to replenish the water it uses through partnerships and projects across communities in Africa.

"The company has made significant strides in improving its water use over the past ten years and recently announced that three million more people across Africa have improved access to safe  water under its Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) – the largest public-private partnership focused on water in Africa," Coca-Cola Southern and East Africa sustainability head Dorcas Onyango said on Wednesday.

Engineering News, 15 May 2019

South Africa has enough water supply for winter season – Government

South Africa has adequate water in storage to sustain it through the dry winter season, but the resource should be utilised carefully, the Department of Water and Sanitation has said.

Dam levels were at 73.7 percent for the past two weeks, a 6.2 drop compared to the same period last year, spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said.

Engineering News, 15 May 2019

PPPs could help ailing municipal water sector, suggests NBI

A series of public-private partnerships (PPPs) with municipalities could help ailing local water and sanitation departments (WSDs), many of which face challenges ranging from deteriorating infrastructure to declining water quality and poor governance.

According to the National Business Initiative (NBI), nearly half of the local WSDs are in a "critical state" and need help from the private sector.

Engineering News, 16 May 2019

Rosatom presents smart water solutions for South Africa

Speaking at the technical hub at African Utility Week in Cape Town, Andrei Grinevich, head of international affairs of "Rusatom Smart Utilities" highlighted the company's innovative "Smart Water" offer. 

The panel discussion "Assessing the potential of ground-breaking water technological solutions" focused on various problems related to the availability of water resources in South Africa, and several experts from international companies shared their solutions for water treatment as well as water supply for municipal and industrial needs. 

Rusatom Smart Utilities presented its integrated solution, which ensures access to purified water using both traditional thermal and/or nuclear power plants.

ESI Africa, 16 May 2019

Research on water security does not reflect water scarcity reality

Researchers on Wednesday raised concerns over decreased expenditure on water security research amidst serious drought problems across southern Africa. 

There are reportedly more than two billion people worldwide in countries with severe water constraints, and the African continent is no exception. 

ESI Africa, 16 May 2019

Company uses macadamia nut shells to purify water

Kusini Water has developed a locally designed solar-powered water purification system that uses an activated carbon filter made from locally sourced macadamia nut shells and that is being used to meet the water needs of schools and communities in South Africa.  

The system was developed by Limpopo social entrepreneur Murendeni Mafumo, who plans to use the entity to build a network of locally owned franchise water purification businesses in South Africa.

Engineering News, 17 May 2019

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