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City commissions its first water reuse and energy plant
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Date: 2023-09-22 08:11:06

City commissions its first water reuse and energy plant

Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli on 20 September unveiled the renewable energy and water reuse demonstration plants on behalf of eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda . The unveiling was done in the presence of representatives from MEB Energy and ALTERELEC technology companies.

THE City has commissioned renewable energy and water reuse demonstration pilot plants as part of exploring sustainable solutions to address ongoing energy and water supply challenges. Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli on 20 September unveiled the demonstration plants on behalf of eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda. This included the reuse water demonstration plant installed at the KwaMashu Wastewater Treatment Works and the Micro-Hydroelectric Turbine Integration System at the uMhlanga Rocks Reservoir 2.

The City’s Water and Sanitation Unit signed a memorandum of agreement with MEB Energy and ALTERELEC technology companies to explore innovative technologies. ALTERELEC designed and installed a compact 56 kW Micro-Hydroelectric Turbine Integration System at the uMhlanga Rocks Reservoir 2 site. The goal is to assist the Municipality to recover untapped energy present in its water distribution network. The water reuse plant by MEB Energy treats secondary effluent to produce potable water that meets the South African National Standard (SANS 241:2015).

As the City continues to test different technologies, the water reuse plant is the City’s second pilot project for recycled water following the Remix Demonstration Plant, which is a combined water reuse and reverse osmosis desalination process. Councillor Ntuli said the City is being proactive to prevent a dire situation in the future as water demand continues to grow. “It is significant that today we witness how renewable energy solutions can play a role in improving water and electricity supply.” he said. Councillor Ntuli said the Reuse Monitoring Programme project will produce standards and guidelines beyond SANS241 for reuse projects in the City. The result from the pilot projects will assist the City in implementing its alternate new water scheme whose feasibility study is underway while the renewable energy plant, is at the procurement phase. The water reuse and renewable energy projects will be undertaken through public-private partnerships while the City conducts oversight of it.

siphelele.buthelezi@durban.gov.za