Water pollution is a major global problem and can be described as acute in developing countries such as South Africa. Some interesting, though alarming facts identified by the WWF regarding this matter include the following:
• At least 11 out of 19 water management areas in SA have water supply problems
• A minimum of 14 million South Africans do not have access to safe drinking water
• If we con
tinue at our current rate of water consumption, we could run out of water before 2040
The “good” news is that although water is not renewable, it is reusable. The level of contamination and the extent of the problem has however, escalated so badly that more innovative approaches are needed. Already in 2010 the environment and Conservation Association estimated that by 2015, 80% of South Africa’s fresh water resources would be so badly polluted that no process of purification available in the country, would be able to make it fit for consumption. SPORTS FOR WATER
In 2010, during the FIFA World Cup hosted by South Africa, visiting engineers from the Netherlands identified the growing water problem. They started working towards an innovative way of addressing this. In the spirit of the great sport of football, a new system, GreensSource Sports for Water was born, ready to be implemented in South Africa in 2015. This is an exciting Public Private Partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the main financial contributor. The GreenSource System
GreenSource, combines synthetic turf and water filtration, using membrane and ultra-filtration technology, to allow sports facilities to treat and re-use water for drinking water, irrigation water and turf maintenance. This applies particularly in areas where water shortages prevail or only polluted water is available. GreenSource will create a safe water storage (basin) that makes a continuous clean and safe water flow possible. This innovative water source can be used to provide drinking water, irrigation water or sanitary water. GreenSource consists of the following project partners:
• The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs - The main sponsor of the project
• Mmapula Socio-economic Development – Project management, community engagement and community development
• TenCate Nederland – Multinational in solutions for protecting people and environment
• Drain Products Europe – Specialists in water management solutions
• Pentair – World leader in membrane filtration
• Happy Feet Sports – Specialists in sport system installations
• Saxion University - University of Applied Sciences
• Royal Turf – Specialists in artificial turf installations
The Project
The project is a public Private Partnership between the above partners, and local investors.
20 GreenSource systems will be installed in South Africa over the next 5 years. Local companies, that would like to invest in on of the 20 GreenSource systems will only have to contribute approximately 20% of the total costs as 80% of the costs are carried by the GreenSource partners. In 2015, the pilot project was installed at Moedwil Secondary School in Rustenburg, North West Province. Benefits of the project:
• Decentralized purified water source
• Upscaling undrinkable water
• Plug and play solution for remote areas
• Community development
• Health improvement through clean water and sports
• Improved sanitation
• Job creation: Installation, operation & maintenance of the system
• Skills transfer program
For further information please contact the GreenSource Non Profit Company South African project management team at Mmapula Community Development. Corne Theunissen [email protected] cell: +27 82 857 2865
Marlize Young [email protected]
