Solving Wastewater Woes: How Maskam Water Transformed Operations at a Stainless Steel Engineering Company
The National Stainless Steel Centre, located in Kempton Park, Gauteng, serves as a hub for 200 staff members in the stainless steel engineering industry. However, like many businesses in the region, NSS struggled with escalating wastewater issues exacerbated by the broader water crisis in Gauteng. With limited water supplies and rising operational costs, the company faced frequent honeysucker services, which cost between R10,000 and R20,000 per visit. These services were necessary due to overflow incidents that caused raw sewage to spill into the stormwater system, resulting in pollution and unpleasant odours.
In the midst of these operational challenges, NSS sought a more sustainable solution to manage their wastewater and reduce operational costs. The water crisis in Gauteng has been marked by dwindling water supplies, making it crucial for businesses to find innovative ways to manage water resources.
The Solution: Maskam Fusion® Wastewater Treatment Plant
In response to NSS’s mounting water issues, Dries Louw from Waterbear Technologies, a dealer for Maskam Water, introduced a game-changing solution: the Maskam Fusion® Wastewater Treatment Plant. This system is designed specifically for areas facing water scarcity, offering an effective way to reduce costs and reuse water. The Fusion® system, introduced in Franschhoek in 2010, has been widely successful across nine African countries, with nearly 400 installations to date.
The Fusion® system is a decentralized wastewater treatment solution designed to exceed Department of Water and Sanitation standards. It can treat wastewater at rates ranging from 1,000 to 15,000 litres per day, making it versatile for residential, commercial, and community applications. Its compact design and ability to operate without pre-treatment tanks make it an ideal choice for locations where space is limited. The system also offers various effluent disposal options, including irrigation, dam refilling, trenches, or direct discharge. One of the key benefits of the Maskam Fusion® system is its underground installation and odor-free operation, allowing it to seamlessly integrate into both urban and remote settings.
Economic and Environmental Benefits for NSS
Initially, NSS was hesitant about the cost of the system. However, as Dries explained, the system would pay for itself within a year by cutting the honeysucker expenses and enabling the recycling of wastewater for various practical uses. This included irrigating gardens, flushing toilets, and even refilling a dam on the property. The treated water met the strict standards set by the Department of Water and Sanitation, ensuring the sustainability of the process.
As Gauteng continues to grapple with the ongoing water crisis, NSS quickly recognized that the investment in the Maskam Fusion® system was not only a financial decision but an environmental one as well. The system provided a way to significantly reduce reliance on municipal water while supporting the region’s broader efforts to combat water scarcity. The implementation of the system was compelling not just from a cost-saving perspective but also as a proactive solution to the ongoing water challenges in Gauteng.
Repurposing Wastewater for Sustainable Practices
Once the Maskam Fusion® system was installed, the benefits quickly became evident. NSS now repurposes treated wastewater to maintain its gardens and refill a dam on its property. This dam, which serves as a peaceful habitat for swans and antelope, has become a symbol of NSS’s shift toward more sustainable practices.
By eliminating the need for expensive honeysucker services, NSS significantly reduced its operational costs. The company no longer had to rely on costly wastewater removal services and could instead manage its wastewater in a more cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner. The transformation was profound, and NSS quickly realized the potential of wastewater reuse as a viable solution for water management in a region under severe water stress.
NSS as a Role Model for Industrial Water Management
NSS's proactive decision to adopt advanced wastewater technology is a powerful example of how businesses can respond to environmental challenges with solutions that are both financially and environmentally sustainable. By partnering with Maskam Water, NSS has positioned itself as a role model for industrial water management in Gauteng. Their experience highlights the importance of investing in resilience in times of resource scarcity and showcases the potential of innovative wastewater technologies to drive both economic and environmental success.
As the water crisis continues to intensify across Gauteng, the NSS story serves as an example for other organizations seeking to navigate the complex challenges of water scarcity. The integration of technologies like the Maskam Fusion® Wastewater Treatment Plant demonstrates how industry can play a critical role in ensuring sustainable water use while simultaneously achieving cost reductions and increased operational resilience.
