MURRAY & Roberts Water (MRW) recently opened the first Organica Water Resource Recovery Demonstration Facility for eThekwini Water Services at the Verulam Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“MRW secured the exclusive license for Organica Technology in South Africa (and non-exclusively in the rest of the SADC region) early in 2016. We are excited to open our first Demonstration Water Resource Recovery Facility for eThekwini Water Services at the Verulam Wastewater Treatment Plant,” said Harry Singleton, Operations Executive, MRW.
“We believe wastewater infrastructure in South Africa is in need of innovative and sustainable thinking and our combined technology and experience can offer the domestic solutions required.”
MRW, part of the multi-national Murray & Roberts engineering and construction Group, undertakes feasibility studies, designs, supplies equipment, constructs, commissions, operates and maintains water and wastewater treatment plants in Africa. The company provides complete water treatment solutions with appropriate technology and structured commercial packages.
Ednick Msweli, Head, eThekwini Water and Sanitation said: the new demonstration plant “allows us to apply innovative and sustainable technology to the water and sanitation services we provide to the people of eThekwini, specifically in the realm of wastewater services”.
Localised wastewater treatment specialist Organica’s treatment facilities utilise active biofilms on natural (plant) and/or engineered (patented biofiber media) root structures, all housed in a fully-enclosed, odourless facility.
The result, according to the company, is a solution which offers a 50%-75% reduced physical footprint compared to conventional wastewater treatment solutions, with up to 30% reduction in operational costs, all in the form of a pleasant botanical garden-like environment that enables the wastewater treatment plant to be located virtually anywhere, thus substantially lowering infrastructure costs to connect to customers and enhancing land value around the facility.
“An Organica-powered facility is more than just a wastewater treatment plant,” said Oscar Palomino, Senior Manager, Organica Water. “It is also a water reclamation garden, educational facility, and symbol of sustainability in the community that enables cost-efficient water reuse and allows for maximized development opportunities – particularly in populated areas where footprint and odor are significant concerns.”