FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
John Ackermann
• Ablutions: Toilets need to be flushed. The inability to do so poses another health hazard to businesses, staff, tenants, and customers.
Property companies are doing their part to keep tenants and customers happy during this crisis by implementing various measures to control the situation. In situations like this, it is critical that all stakeholders collaborate to ensure the best possible outcome for all.
V & A Waterfront( Growthpoint Properties) Stephan le Roux, the director of Growthpoint Properties, commented on the various measures they have undertaken to ensure that the V & A Waterfront remains steadfast during this challenging time. The V & A Waterfront is regarded as the premier tourist destination in South Africa, with tremendous international tourist exposure.“ It is imperative that the V & A continues to operate at an acceptable level. Not only does the precinct have the highest concentration of hotels and restaurants, but it is the‘ showcase’ of Cape Town. Over and above the extensive watersaving initiatives already deployed, the V & A will be constructing their own the operating taps have been further reduced to a minimal trickle. Our cleaning contractors have been requested to reduce water consumption by using alternative chemical cleaning products and our maintenance teams are on roving schedules to ensure that all installations are free of water leaks.
“ Unfortunately, our efforts are limited to what can be done in common areas and there is little more that can be done. The fact is that shopping centres are public places and we have to have operational ablution facilities,” he said.
According to Le Roux, people can adapt if there is a will to do so.“ As such, we have noticed a significant decline in water consumption at our Cape Town properties. Notwithstanding the lower water usage by all, operations and trading are like normal. There is a high level of awareness among our shoppers and people are not only encouraging others to save water but are also policing water waste. The major concern at this stage, though, is if water supply is totally turned off on‘ D-Day’. Our shopping centres have to trade— not only because thousands of people depend on the income and salaries, but also as the public will continue to need daily access to stores,” he said.
A plastic storage tank collects water from the drain pans of evaporators in cold stores – a good way to save on water.
Growthpoint has also taken the following precautionary measures, which is being rolled out, to address this possibility:
• Installing boreholes where possible.
• Installing water tanks.
• Installing water purification plants.
• Securing chemical toilets.
Canal Walk, Cape Gate, and Somerset Mall( Hyprop Investments) Camilla Lor, marketing executive for Canal Walk, said that Hyprop Investments is an environmentally active and socially responsible commercial entity.“ Hyprop is therefore committed to upholding and enforcing water restrictions, policy, and regulations in support of managing its role as it pertains to the drought in the Western Cape,” she said.
She added that Hyprop Investments has instituted stringent measures at all its shopping centres in the affected areas.“ This includes limiting the use of water deployed inside the centres and external amenities. To remain top of mind and to reinforce the change in attitude that is required from everyone— shoppers, retailers, visitors, staff, and so on— all centres have engaged in regular communications to tenants, including suggestions for easily implementable water-saving tactics, as well as highlighting the successes the centres achieve on an ongoing basis,” said Lor.
Lor further added that the true cost of this situation is having no water at all and that their centres have already instituted the following remedial action:
• Reducing demand— across the board— through ongoing monitoring and awareness campaigns.
• Urinal flush water restricted.
• Flushing times on toilets reduced where possible.
• Aerators on taps.
• Auto-closing taps.
• Grey water irrigation only and reduced watering times.
• Grey water to wash / sanitise plant rooms and waste yards in line with health codes.
• Working together with all stakeholders to adhere to each centre’ s water practices.
• Encouraging the prompt reporting of water usage transgressions and leaks to management.
• Constant monitoring of the consumptive and pressure data that is gathered through smart water meters installed on the main water supply lines to the centre( CWSC). Viewed remotely, the data provides realtime feedback better aiding water management, monitoring leaks, and overall operation.
The following is being established to enhance what is already being done:
• Installation of large-scale storage tanks— for both potable and grey water.
• Furthering filtering of grey water so that it can be used in the HVAC cooling towers for evaporation cooling.
• Increased set-point temperature to save water evaporating through the cooling towers.
• Grey water for flushing of toilets.
Hyprop’ s Western Cape centres have committed a R19-million capex budget to implement these long-term solutions to safeguard against future water stress.
The industry is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders and finding solutions in order to continue to provide safe, comfortable shopping environments.
Tyger Valley Centre( Mowana Properties) Nozipho Khumalo, the national marketing manager for Mowana Properties, said that they have been working tirelessly on various initiatives, dedicated desalination plant. Whilst this will not be in time for the current projected D-Day, it will ensure future water security,” added Le Roux.
Le Roux further added that Growthpoint was a founding member of the Green Building Council of South Africa( GBCSA) and one of the industry leaders in implementing sustainable and resourcesaving technologies, ranging from solar energy to recycling.“ We have, over the past number of years, implemented a number of water-saving initiatives across our portfolio, such as rainwater harvesting, waterless urinals, replacing water-thirsty plants with indigenous plants and hard landscaping, abandoning irrigation altogether— even from boreholes. However, notwithstanding the above, and in response to the situation specific to Cape Town, we have been running a public awareness campaign at all our shopping centres, with posters in all our ablutions and notifications to our tenants. The number of taps in ablutions have been reduced and water flow from
John Ackermann
Cape Town harbour potentially offers an unlimited source of water.
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