East Rand Water Care Company

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ERWAT

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Changing from

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RWAT was started more than twentyfive years ago as a Section 21 (non-profit) company, with its main shareholders being the municipalities of Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and Lesedi.

A lot has changed in the last year. have a look at the new challenges faced by South Africa’s East Rand Water Care Company as it continues to demonstrate its ability to effect change.

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Since then it has grown to provide wastewater treatment services to roughly two thousand different industries and 3.5 million individuals with access to sanitation services, and has continuously impressed with its financial responsibility and the quality of its services, maintained during difficult economic and political times.

Utilities

ERWAT remains one of the most visible companies in South African utility and infrastructure.

With its importance to the city of Ekurhuleni, a strategically essential metropolis powered by agriculture, mining and manufacturing and a future “Aerotropolis”, it has positioned itself as one of the entities at the forefront of infrastructural progress, and with exciting developments underway looks to be further extending its reach in the near future.

A changing world

last looked at ERWAT in the first half of 2017 – before the resignation of Jacob Zuma under troubling circumstances, and the subsequent election of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

South Africa is a nation under strain, although there are positive things on the horizon, with recent announcements suggesting a more buoyant future for the nation’s infrastructural development.

There are several powerful positives and negatives balancing South African politics and economics at this time.

Commodity prices are not at the lows seen during 2017. The mining industry – one that’s essential to the growth of ERWAT – is looking strong.

However, uncertainty surrounding economic policy and a slowdown from the agriculture sector have plunged South Africa into an economic recession, with pressure on the Rand felt across all industries.

Some are pointing to the new President’s attempts to alleviate this pressure. President Ramaphosa recently announced a R400 billion government investment plan, to be injected into infrastructure over the next four years. The ambitious package will be run by experts employed by the presidency as well as managers recruited from the private sector.

While many welcomed the announcement, others were quick to point that the South African government do not have a flawless record when it comes to managing enormous projects such as this. Critics have pointed to the failings of Eskom and Transnet, with several expressing

“ERWAT remains one of the most visible companies in South African utility and infrastructure

“As it has shown before it combines an attitude and a service offering that affords impressive adaptability during uncertain times concern that, as well as more serious potential issues, capacity may not be high enough for such investment, and that radical policy announcements may discourage investment over the long term.

ERWAT therefore finds itself in a very different situation that even just eighteen months ago.

However, as it has shown before it combines an attitude and a service offering that affords impressive adaptability during uncertain times.

Continuing to add value ERWAT prides itself not just in its water treatment capabilities, but in the value it offers to customers through additional technical services, laboratory services and training.

Having increased R&D in recent years, as well as becoming more involved in academic research, ERWAT now boasts a SANAS 17025 accredited laboratory, offering the water industry a variety of important services, including

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EPCCC

chemical and biological analysis of wastewater, drinking water and food products, as well biomonitoring, assistance with legislation, and automatic liquid sample hire.

Speaking to in 2017, managing director Tumelo Gopane mentioned plans for “a training centre and a centre of excellence in waste water treatment... We’re also developing an E-learning centre – this will be available to companies and individuals across Africa as there is a big need in continental Africa to train operators and process controllers.”

While its training services are not quite fully realised ERWAT’s ambition is clear – to become the go-to provider for water services in South Africa, and then the continent as a whole. Adding this kind of value to already essential services is a way to get noticed in a difficult and complex marketplace.

Green Drop status

Another way ERWAT is looking towards the future is in its ongoing efforts towards gaining Green Drop certification, an incentivebased regulation focusing on wastewater. The company has announced a 83.61% Green Drop performance, with several of its plants achieving full certification.

The company ensures progress with quarterly reports and an ongoing commitment toward

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improving water treatment services for all of its customers.

ERWAT plays an essential role in assisting the management of wastewater, a process that has a knock on effect as wastewater is passed on from company to company – when done poorly, it can have a significant negative effect on productivity across a huge range of industries.

The sanitation backlog is one often overlooked among the obstacles faced by South African infrastructure.

One way the company is helping towards overcoming these obstacles can be seen in its role in the recent reestablishment of the City Water Managers Forum.

ERWAT’s voice can now be heard on a platform encouraging engagement with municipal authorities, and plans are underway for Gauteng to establish its own “water war room”, ensuring the company’s influence will grow.

Wherever it can be seen, ERWAT can be seen making an unprecedented effort towards improving the water treatment industry, from both outside and within.

Follow us: East Rand Water Care Company (ERWAT) East Rand Water Care Company

Established in 2007 with a qualified team of 16 staff with a combined total of 35 years experience in pump electrical motor and repairing of gearboxes Using advanced designs and modern techniques, all our solutions are built to reduce your costs of pumping through minimizing downtime and energy consumption, something that is critical to all our customers nowadays.

We are BEEE accredited level 1 company and registered with the Construction Industry Development Board. Grade 6ME PE We aid in Blue Drop certification. This is an indication that the water supply authority has complied with a stringent set of procedural, chemical, biological and other requirements.

As well as the green drop award demonstrates that the municipality is achieving high standards in the management and delivery of an efficient waste water service.

www.epccc.co.za

ERWAT - Leading the way.

ERWAT is the first utility in Gauteng to implement the proven and innovative Nereda® technology. They have done so by increasing the capacity of the Hartebeestfontein WWTP by 5MLD in an ingenious retrofit application.

This is an example of the innovative thinking that holds the key to unlocking the solutions to our country’s sewage treatment infrastructure backlog.

The South African reality is that we no longer have the luxury of building plants without considering the optimal use of available land; Capital budgets being constrained; Energy costs rapidly increasing annually and many of our rivers, streams and dams are polluted as a result of aging and overloaded treatment infrastructure. Nereda® is undoubtedly a compelling proposition when addressing these challenges.

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•Preferred service and sales centre for Hidrostal SA •Preferred service and sales centre for Pioneer Pumps •Official service and sales centre for Tsurumi Pumps •Supply of electric motors (WEG, CMG, Motorelli) •Supply of mechanical seals •Turnkey Projects

Utilities

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Tel: +27 (0)11 693 1749 Cell: +27 (0)74 580 3305

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6 Honda Street, Unit 33/36 Aureus Industrial Estate Ext 3, Randfontein

•Repairs to all types of pumps Email: epccc.info@gmail.com •Repairs to all makes of gearboxes Website: www.epccc.co.za •Site service and maintenance •Recondi�oning of mechanical seals CIDB GRADES: •Rewinding to all electric motors both AC and DC • 6ME PE • 5EP PE •Condition monitoring • 5CE PE • 5SO PE •Installa�on and commissioning of pumps, gearboxes and motors

A SUSTAINABLE & COST-EFFECTIVE

Nereda ® Installation at Epe

advanced biological wastewater treatment technology.

THE NEREDA ® ADVANTAGE

South Africa’s sewage treatment infrastructure is characterised by overloaded plants that consume high amounts of electricity, the cost of which is escalating rapidly each year, and a shortage of available land for plant expansion. Capital budgets are also constrained. So, how can we provide bulk sewage treatment service delivery whilst optimising CAPEX, energy consumption and land usage with NO compromise on treated effluent quality?

AFFORDABILITY Between 20% and 50% reduction in energy consumption compared to CAS and significant reductions in CAPEX requirements which together result in massive plant life cycle cost savings.

The value proposition for municipal clients…

Nereda® is an innovative and cost-effective technology invented by the Deft University of Technology. Biomass in Nereda® develops as fast settling aerobic granular sludge that has excellent settling properties and therefore does not require a time consuming decant phase.

All biological treatment processes and settling occur in a single tank.

FOOTPRINT Massive reduction in site space requirements (up to 75% reduction compared to CAS).

Nereda ® Aerobic Granular Sludge

COMPLIANCE Excellent treatment performance including nutrient removal and extremely robust granular biomass.

FLEXIBILITY Suitable for new greenfield plants and retrofits.

NEREDA® IS A PROVEN TECHNOLOGY THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE SCALE OF PLANT FOR NEREDA®.

NEREDA® IS EASY TO OPERATE. For all enquiries on Nereda® contact Graham Hartlett graham@wecprojects.com

011 745 5500

www.wecprojects.com

WEC PROJECTS (Pty) Ltd

Water

Sewage

Renewable Energies

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Hartebeestfontein Office Park R25 (Bronkhorstspruit/Bapsfontein) Kempton Park Tel: +27 (0)11 929 7000 Fax: +27 (0)11 929 7031 Email: mail@erwat.co.za

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www.essentialbusinessmag.com ŠEssential Business Magazine 2018