Climate change, rapid urbanisation and failing infrastructure have led to a massive shift in the supply and demand for water, resulting in many businesses facing intermittent water availability.
Just as users are moving away from the power grid to independent power generation to avoid loadshedding, many users also recognising the importance of becoming partially or fully water independent through engineered, onsite water treatment systems.
“There’s a growing realisation that a water crisis is more challenging to solve and has more severe consequences than an electricity crisis. In response, clients are turning to innovation for off-grid water solutions, seeking consistent, high-quality water for their operations. Taking this scarce resource for granted is a thing of the past and in this time of crisis, clients want the confidence in knowing that they have a consistent supply of quality water for their operations,” states Wayne Taljaard, MD, WEC Projects.
Wayne Taljaard, MD, WEC Projects
Businesses often turn to WEC Projects to reduce effluent discharge and reuse water, but water security is becoming a top priority. With unreliable government water supply, businesses aim to gain control over their water supply to avoid production disruptions.
Water quality
In addition to having a consistent supply of water, many businesses require their water to meet specific quality standards. Many businesses require water to meet specific quality standards, such as SANS 241 or certain product manufacturing requirements, necessitating pre-treatment.
“We firstly identify the gap between what a client needs in terms of water quantity and quality and what they have already,” adds Taljaard. From there, WEC Projects evaluates all other client parameters, budgets and possible constraints. They then define and further refine a process and offering to cater to the client’s needs.
“WEC Projects specialises in engineering bespoke options that are designed to meet the exact requirements of a client. Our team has experience in finding solutions for projects in complex locations with complex operating parameters,” states Taljaard.
Growth
Taljaard believes that the water sector is poised for growth and there will be a growing trend towards collaboration between the public and private sectors in South Africa and across the continent. “Governments cannot solve this crisis on their own. Some water service functions will be outsourced to the private sector. There is also a focus on quick wins – and modular plants or packaged plants are a speedier option than building traditional, centralised treatment plants. Our decentralised plants can be quickly deployed to address immediate needs. This is provided that there is buy-in from the client and a clear idea of what the plant needs to achieve in terms of water quantity and quality. There must also be an understanding around the associated costs to achieve this.”
Africa
With a core focus area on package plants, water treatment, sewage treatment and renewable energies, WEC Projects is active throughout the African continent. From building water treatment plants for a Côte d’Ivoire gold mine to completing a sewage treatment plant for a diamond mine in Lesotho, WEC Projects walks a path with customers to ensure all expectations are met.
“We win our work in African countries from our reputation as a reliable engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor that delivers results. Most of our clients approach us due to our good performance on previous projects. WEC Projects is agile and can make decisions and can adapt operations to match prevailing conditions and grab opportunities where they present themselves,” says Taljaard.
