Recognising the need for sustainable, impactful solutions, Zambezi Sanitation is spearheading a transformative approach to water conservation—focusing on reducing non-revenue water (NRW) through innovative cistern retrofitting and community engagement.
In South Africa, the challenge of non-revenue water — water lost through leaks, theft, or meter inaccuracies — represents a significant obstacle to sustainable water management. Currently, 47% of potable water supplied to municipalities by water utilities is lost to NRW, translating into billions of Rands in financial losses annually.
This leakage not only hampers municipalities’ ability to meet growing water demands but also results in overloaded infrastructure, sewage pollution, and environmental degradation.
The problem is compounded by overloaded treatment and distribution systems, such as the Vaal River System, which are pushed beyond their sustainable limits. In many urban areas, leaking toilets in communities—particularly in informal settlements—contribute substantially to NRW and operational strain on water treatment plants. These leaks also cause downstream water quality issues and wastage, while municipalities struggle to fund repairs and upgrades.
Building upon extensive research conducted in partnership with Johannesburg Water and the Water Research Commission, Zambezi Sanitation proposes a targeted retrofit program. By replacing conventional cisterns with the innovative Zambezi Eye cisterns—designed specifically for leak resistance—this initiative aims to significantly curtail water wastage in non-paying communities.
Pilot data suggests that retrofitting approximately 100,000 cisterns in high-loss areas could conserve around 200 million liters of water daily within Gauteng alone. This would translate into financial savings of roughly R2.8 million per day—amounting to over R1 billion annually.
The project also forecasts environmental benefits: saving 200 megalitres of water per day equates to an ongoing energy saving of approximately 10 MW, which over a year results in the reduction of 87,600 MWh of energy consumption and a decrease of approximately 32.4 million kg of CO₂ equivalent emissions.
With letters of interest secured from five municipalities, contingent upon securing grant funding for the retrofit program, Zambezi Sanitation is poised to scale this solution across South Africa’s urban areas, further amplifying its social, economic, and environmental impact.
While the project does not depend heavily on immediate regulatory changes, there is a clear policy imperative: municipalities should adopt standards requiring leak-resistant cisterns in government-funded housing and prioritise retrofitting areas with high water losses and low revenue collection. Such regulatory requirements would accelerate adoption and ensure widespread impact.
Central to the project’s success are strategic partnerships. Zambezi Sanitation has established collaborations with interested municipalities, the manufacturer of Zambezi Eye cisterns, and a BBBEE-certified installer company capable of executing large-scale retrofitting programs. These relationships facilitate not only project implementation but also capacity building and local economic empowerment.
Looking ahead, Zambezi Sanitation plans to share progress and results at future Enlit Africa events, leveraging the platform to present technical expertise, promote industry dialogues, and explore potential display opportunities to attract further support and funding.
Contact Us
VUKA is the trusted media partner to key professionals, policy makers, suppliers and
manufacturers. We provide unparalleled opportunities for industry-wide connection.
