Nelson Mandela Bay treatment plant to free up drinking water

Water conservation in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has received a major boost with the launch of a water treatment plant.?

The Metro’s Mayor, Gary van Niekerk, said the R68 million plant at Orion Engineered Carbons South Africa is testimony to what the city is capable of when it works closely with big business.

The company is based in Deal Party, Gqeberha and is the only carbon black producer in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The plant will now pump treated wastewater from the neighbouring Fishwater Flats Wastewater treatment plant and treat it onsite to meet its production standards for non-drinking water use.

“These symbiotic relationships can be in the interest of the common good and not just the bottom lines of the business community. Thank you to the international and local management of Orion South Africa for making today possible,” said Van Niekerk.

“It is truly a trendsetting step that will hopefully encourage other major businesses to follow in their footsteps. Thank you for the vote of confidence in our city. We truly appreciate your investment.”

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Treatment plant to help address water scarcity in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

The usage of treated wastewater at its production plant in Deal Party, frees up drinking water that will no longer be used by the company.

This translates to a long-term financial benefit as treated wastewater is cheaper while also contributing towards the preservation of drinking water.

Orion Chief Director Corning Painter said the investment is meaningful since it contributes to water conservation in a water-scarce area.

“While several companies use treated wastewater from Fishwater Flats for various applications, Orion South Africa is one of the first to use large volumes of wastewater for the purpose of producing carbon black,” Painter said.?

(Carbon Black is a virtually pure elemental carbon in the form of colloidal particles. These are produced by incomplete combustion or thermal decomposition of gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons under controlled conditions. It appears as a black, finely divided pellet or powder and is used in tires, rubber and plastic products, printing inks and coatings.)

Preserving water quality in the Vaal River

Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo has challenged leaders in the water sector to act decisively against the pollution and contamination of the country’s water resources.

Seitlholo made the call on Thursday (3 October) at the launch of the Vaal River Anti-Pollution Forum, which is aimed at addressing long-standing pollution affecting water quality in the Vaal River.

Launched in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, the Vaal River Anti-Pollution Forum is meant to coordinate, improve and integrate efforts to manage Vaal River water quality, in line with its determined resource quality objectives. ?

The forum will also provide high-level guidance to ensure the protection of the Vaal River, as well as identify remedial actions to mitigate the impact of pollution.

Seitlholo warned that the pollution of water resources remains one of the greatest risks that faces the country’s water security and sustainability.

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He challenged the leaders to decide if they will meet the moment to protect the country’s precious resource for future generations.

“Indeed colleagues, we must decide here today whether we will be the ones who will be remembered for directing the course of every river and every stream to a sustainable future of access to clean and safe water for all. I am here to sound the alarm.”

Importance of Vaal River to SA water security

Highlighting the significance of the Vaal River, which is the second largest river in South Africa after the Orange River – into which it flows -Seitlholo said the 1,200 kilometre-long river crosses a number of provinces, including Mpumalanga (where it originates near Ermelo), Gauteng, the Free State and the Northern Cape.

“Large dams, including Grootdraai, the Vaal and Bloemhof dams are constructed on the river to ensure a steady water supply to citizens of these provinces and the industries dependent on water from the river. The Vaal Dam is the most important dam in the country because of its role as the primary supplier of water to the economic heartland of South Africa – Gauteng,” Seitlholo said.

The Vaal River, due to its extent and the development sectors it supports, receives a huge volume of pollution from urban developments, both formal and informal settlements, wastewater treatment works, runoff from mines, agriculture and discharge of treated wastewater from industries, Seitlholo said. ?

Edited by ESI Africa. Source:?SAnews

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