As dam levels continue to drop and water restrictions remain in place, the George Municipality is seeking international expertise to strengthen its long-term water resilience and service delivery. With below-normal rainfall putting local water resources under pressure, the municipality is looking to global solutions to address both immediate demand management and longer-term challenges.
Recently, Esethu Nyamankulu, a senior process controller at the municipality’s water treatment works, participated in the Young Engineers Changemakers Programme run by the Water Research Commission. The programme aims to build innovation and technical capacity in South Africa’s water sector, and Nyamankulu was among eight young municipal engineers chosen nationwide to take part.
Global Insights for Local Solutions
As part of the programme’s international exchange phase, Nyamankulu embarked on a study tour to Singapore, where he engaged with institutions such as TÜV SÜD and the NUS Environmental Research Institute. The experience offered valuable insights into global best practices, particularly in advanced membrane technologies and water reuse systems.
According to Nyamankulu, Singapore’s ability to treat domestic wastewater to potable standards highlights the value of integrating technology with water conservation strategies. He believes that these insights can support diversifying George’s water sources beyond the Garden Route Dam, while strengthening existing infrastructure such as the ultrafiltration plant at the Outeniqua Wastewater Treatment Works.
Circular Economy Approaches
Nyamankulu also highlighted the value of circular economy approaches observed during his visit. Exposure to circular economy practices and waste-to-resource technologies demonstrated how municipalities can address landfill constraints and improve resource recovery. Some of the key benefits of circular economy approaches include:
- Reducing landfill pressure
- Improving resource recovery
- Creating value from waste
The knowledge gained from the programme will feed into ongoing initiatives focused on responsible water use, infrastructure reliability, and long-term sustainability. Director of Civil Engineering Services Jannie Koegelenberg emphasized the importance of investing in technical expertise to benefit communities.
As the George Municipality continues to navigate the challenges of water scarcity, it is clear that global solutions will play a critical role in addressing these issues. By tapping into international expertise and best practices, the municipality can strengthen its water resilience and ensure a more sustainable future for its residents.
