Driving innovation for water security

These projects, chosen for their innovative approaches and potential for large-scale impact, all contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Clean Water and Sanitation for All.

1. Invictus – Transforming Beverage Production

The Challenge:
The beverage industry is under pressure to reduce its water usage, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions. Traditional methods of production are resource-intensive and contribute to the industry’s environmental impact.

The Lead Customer:
Coca Cola Beverage Africa

The Solution:
4T2 Sensors Ltd has developed the CIPSense system— technology designed to transform beverage production. This system enables real-time analysis of process fluids, helping to identify contaminants without the need for expensive offline tests. PCS Global will now integrate this technology at Coca-Cola Beverage Africa’s main site in South Africa, the project aims to save up to 80 million litres of water annually – that’s the equivalent of 32 Olympic sized swimming pools. The success of this initiative could pave the way for its adoption across Coca-Cola’s other production sites in Africa.

The Impact:
The Invictus project sets a new standard for sustainability in the beverage industry, making it a scalable solution with the potential to transform production processes on a global scale.

2. Aquasight – Advanced Water Monitoring for Utilities

The Challenge:
South Africa faces significant challenges in water management, including ageing infrastructure, insufficient funding, and rapid urbanisation. Traditional water management methods struggle to cope with these challenges, leading to inefficiencies and resource wastage.

The Lead Customers:
Umgeni Water (SA), Rand Water (SA), Stream (UK)

The Solution:
The Aquasight project, led by AIIMI Ltd and Geoterra Image (GTI), aims to improve water resource management by creating an advanced monitoring platform. This platform uses space-generated data and AI-driven analytics to provide real-time insights into water supply, demand, and infrastructure health. The platform enhances decision-making capabilities, enabling water utilities to optimise investments and manage resources more effectively.

The Impact:
This project will empower South African water utilities to make data-driven decisions, improving the efficiency and sustainability of water resource management. The platform’s potential to be scaled and adapted across different regions makes it a key innovation in the fight against water scarcity.

3. Fresh Works Ltd – Water Treatment Residue Filtration and Dewatering

The Challenge:
Water treatment plants generate waste known as water treatment residue (WTR), which can pose environmental risks if not properly managed. Traditional methods of handling WTR, such as drying beds, are inefficient and have the potential to contaminate surrounding ecosystems.

The Lead Customer: Rand Water, Johannesburg, SA

The Solution:
Fresh Works Ltd has developed a centrifugal filtration system that effectively removes WTR from drinking water, leaving behind a solid residue. The residue can potentially be used for beneficial purposes such as generating biogas for renewable energy, serving as additives in building materials, and improving soil quality for agriculture – thereby contributing to a circular economy model. M&D Construction, an approved Rand Water supplier, has the capabilities to manufacture and install the pilot filter unit.

The Impact:
By reducing the environmental footprint of water treatment processes, the project offers a sustainable solution that can be implemented in water treatment plants beyond South Africa.

4. Sim-On Water – Reducing Water Losses with Digital Tools

The Challenge:
Non-Revenue Water (NRW) caused by leaks in water distribution systems is a major issue for utilities globally, resulting in substantial water loss.

The Lead Customer: Rand Water, Johannesburg SA

The Solution:
HR Wallingford and HydroWallet have teamed up to create Sim-On Water, a digital tool designed to detect and locate leaks in real-time by combining SCADA data with hydraulic modeling. The platform enables water utilities to address leaks more efficiently, reducing water loss.

The Impact:
By helping utilities reduce water loss, the project supports more sustainable water management practices, ensuring that more water reaches consumers and less is wasted.

5. Kaloola – Circular Economy in Sanitation

Challenge:
In South Africa, only 65% of the population has access to adequate wastewater treatment. This lack of infrastructure exacerbates sanitation challenges, especially in regions where water scarcity is a growing concern.

The Lead Customer: eThekwini Municipality

Solution:
Loowatt Ltd, in collaboration with Khanyisa Projects, is working to develop a circular economy treatment plant in partnership with eThekwini Municipality. The plant will process waste from waterless toilets, transforming it into valuable resources such as energy and nutrients. The Koolola toilet is tech-enabled, with IT tracking that supports local service providers and utilities with customer payment collection, service tracking, and impact measurement. The Koolola dry flush toilet is designed to readily integrate with utility systems through locally run service models, while providing waste as feedstock for value transformation.

Impact:
The Kaloola project represents a significant advancement in sustainable sanitation solutions. By turning waste into resources, the project improves sanitation and provides economic and environmental benefits, creating a model that can be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges.

About Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa

Global Alliance Africa is a six-year project funded by UK International Development through Innovate UK (GCRF) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

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