Electricity and Control May 2025

Plant maintenance, test + measurement

In industry today, sustainability is a key driver for business success. Where industrial companies are looking to minimise their environmental footprint and enhance operational e iciency, Robert Erasmus, Managing Director of Sanitech, highlights that one of the key considerations relates to e icient wastewater treatment. This is especially relevant in Industries with high water usage such as food processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and mining, where e icient wastewater treatment plays an important part in achieving sustainability goals. Wastewater treatment for industrial sustainability

Robert Erasmus, Sanitech.

Leading by example San Miguel, a world leading producer of lemon oils, juices, and dehydrated peel, demonstrates its commitment to sustainability in its wastewater treatment initiatives. At its processing plant in Gqeberha in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, the company processes locally sourced produce and uses advanced wastewater treatment technologies to ensure e”iciency and compliance with the relevant standards. At the plant, the wastewater treatment system combines local equipment with advanced Dutch technology to enable remote monitoring and control, providing a high level of operational transparency and e”iciency. One of the main goals at the plant is to reduce water consumption and ensure wastewater is treated e”ectively to meet discharge specifications before release into municipal sewage systems. This approach is in line with San Miguel’s commitment to environmental protection, water resource conservation, and regulatory compliance. Economic benefits and resource optimisation E”icient wastewater treatment also presents significant economic benefits. Industries can reduce operational costs by minimising water intake and reusing treated water within their processes. Reducing freshwater usage has the dual benefit of reducing water procurement costs and decreasing sewage discharge

are especially applicable to high water usage industries such as manufacturing, food and beverage production, pharmaceuticals, and mining. Each industry has specific processes and requirements, but the underlying principles of compliance, economic viability, and sustainability are consistent. By tailoring wastewater treatment systems to address specific pollutants and operational needs, companies in these di”erent industries can achieve similar benefits. For instance, mining operations dealing with heavy metals and other contaminants can implement specialised treatment processes to meet regulatory standards. Similarly, food and beverage operations can focus on reducing water usage through advanced filtration and recycling systems. Achieving industrial sustainability E”icient wastewater treatment is essential for industrial sustainability. A multi-faceted approach to compliance, economic e”iciency, and water security will become increasingly important as ‘water shedding’ becomes a reality for South Africa. San Miguel’s wastewater treatment plant in Gqeberha serves as a model of how industrial operations can leverage advanced technologies to achieve water security. By adopting a strategic approach to wastewater treatment, they can comply with regulations and achieve significant economic and environmental benefits, contributing to overall sustainability and resilience.

For more information visit: www.sanitech.co.za

tari”s. This double saving makes a strong economic case for investing in e”icient wastewater treatment technologies. It is estimated that the payback period for San Miguel’s additional phase of its wastewater treatment plant could be between three to four years, confirming the economic viability of such investments. Water security and sustainability Water security is another critical aspect of industrial sustainability. Several regions in South Africa, like the Eastern Cape, have experienced severe droughts, and this highlights the importance of reliable water sources for industrial operations. E”icient wastewater treatment systems that enable water reuse enhance water security by reducing dependency on external water supplies. As well as stabilising industrial operations this aligns with broader sustainability goals, minimising the impact on natural water resources.

Broader industry implications The benefits of e”icient wastewater treatment

At its processing plant in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, San Miguel has implemented advanced wastewater treatment technologies to meet efficiency, safety, and sustainability goals.

MAY 2025 Electricity + Control

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