Modern Mining August 2019

maintenance services for treatment facilities forming part of the offering. “Accurate plant operation and ongoing maintenance are criti- cal aspects to manage water use and the quantity thereof,” explains Chris Braybrooke, General Manager Marketing, Veolia Water Technologies South Africa. “The requirements per segment are fairly similar but as water quality varies for each applica- tion, each project must be evaluated in detail. This allows our engineers to select the most appropriate treat- ment line.” He adds that wastewater treat- ment requirements are often driven from a corporate perspective – such

as international stakeholders dictating the compa- ny’s water footprint; the need for water itself in water scarce areas; or legislative discharge limitations such as the need for Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD). The solution provided depends on various fators, which include the client’s specific requirements, the nature of the water or the effluent to be treated, the client’s expected outcome and their budget. “Many of these decisions are weighted towards financial payback for the company,” Braybrooke says. “Veolia can assist in this regard by performing feasibility studies where the water and wastewa- ter requirements of the facility can be assessed. These studies investigate the different technologies to determine the most appropriate solution, and include findings from both a CAPEX and OPEX per- spective. This enables clients to find a solution that is tailor-made for specific applications, and which is fit for purpose.” While Veolia’s water treatment solutions are tai- lored towards reduced water consumption, one of the most appropriate – even necessary – solutions for water conservation in the industrial sector is water reuse. Braybrooke says that businesses in heavy indus- try are the major consumers of water. To overcome this, projects such as the Durban Water Recycling Project (DWR) can be duplicated to reduce raw water intake. The wastewater recycling plant reclaims up to 47,5 megalitres of wastewater each day and treats it to process standards suitable for industrial use. The treated water is then used by high-volume custom- ers such as Mondi Paper and SAPREF at a fraction of the cost of raw water. Through the recycling of wastewater, Durban City has been able to free up the potable water supply that can now be diverted towards the city’s grow- ing urban population. “This not only saves water, it also reduces the strain on the municipality’s existing water infrastructure,” says Braybrooke. “Veolia is will- ing to help source funding for projects of this nature,

as was the case with the DWR.” Veolia manufactures Water Techno Packages, previously known as package plants, specifically for industrial use in the sectors mentioned above. Two standard package plants (which are industry-spe- cific) that are most applicable for the South African and African markets are the water purification package plant for process water and wastewater treatment package plants. These are manufactured locally at Veolia’s Sebenza facility in Johannesburg’s East Rand. Through the company’s international fabrication facilities, an expanded range of treatment options is also offered. Some of these options include the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) unit, an aero- bic wastewater treatment option; Memthane, an aerobic treatment option for high organic wastewa- ter that produces biogas; and the Evaled Package Evaporators, ideal for highly saline and concen- trated wastewaters. “The main advantage of our Water Techno Packages is that they offer a standardised approach that can be implemented in a reduced timeframe compared to conventional engineered solutions,” Braybrooke explains. “This standardised approach means that an optimised solution (with regards to cost) can be provided, which is to the benefit of the client. Ultimately, cost is the driver.” Legislation, costs, corporate responsibility and the recent enactment of Carbon Tax will ultimately drive the requirement for water treatment. Incentive schemes, such as those that encourage companies to implement green technologies like biogas, for example, could potentially be expanded. “In most instances, water treatment is not the client’s core business,” says Braybrooke in conclu- sion. “Outsourcing operations and maintenance will ensure a reliable water supply to a company’s facility, and in such a way that there is minimal wastage and that all legal and environmental compliance stan- dards are adhered to.” 

One of Veolia’s Water Techno Packages for use in industrial sectors. Water purification package plants for process water and wastewater treatment package plants are the most applicable for the South African and African markets.

“This standardised approach means that an optimised solution (with regards to cost) can be provided, which is to the benefit of the client. Ultimately, cost is the driver.”

August 2019  MODERN MINING  37