FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
• Increased communication to managers , all staff , and customers .
• Contacted landlords , requesting their collaboration and assistance .
• Ensured that each of its stores are able to operate if the taps are turned off .
Woolworths Kirsten Hewitt from Woolworths said the pending Day Zero will have an impact on operations in the Western Cape and they expect that it may impact staff availability , product availability , and store operations . “ We have very clearly defined plans in place to continue operations in our stores , distribution centres , and head office . We are also actively working with our suppliers to assist them in finding solutions so that we can continue to meet our commitments to our customers . We have installed water tanks at our Western Cape stores , distribution centres , and our head office to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the event of Day Zero . We are investigating alternative water source options such as investing in a desalination solution and alternative water sources outside of the Western Cape ,” she said .
Hewitt further added that Woolworths ’ first priority is their staff . “ All our staff will be provided with drinking water while at work and water for ablutions across stores , head office , and in the distribution centres . We also aim to provide each of our employees in the Western Cape with
John Ackermann
Water collected from defrost drains could be used for misting systems that cool fresh produce .
water to take home to their families every day ,” added Hewitt .
Hewitt said that Woolworths had already done a significant amount of work on water conservation efforts , as illustrated in the below initiatives :
• At our head office , we are tapping into an underground water supply , saving the local municipality . Currently , 57 % of our head office water comes from this source .
• We have installed water pulse meters in 90 % of South African stores to accurately monitor water usage . This has allowed us to pick up underground leaks and prevent unnecessary water wastage . Our relative water consumption across stores has dropped by 56 % from our 2007 benchmark .
We are implementing rainwater harvesting and re-use systems at our water-thirsty distribution centres across the country . This means that we are reducing our reliance on precious treated water for activities like tray and floor washing as well as toilet flushing .
We are helping farmers reduce water wastage and water pollution through our Farming for the Future Initiative — 95 % ( 259 ) of our primary produce suppliers and 87 of our secondary suppliers are participating .
Through the WWF-SA ’ s Water Balance Project , we continue to work extensively in clearing alien vegetation that is estimated to capture up to 7 % of South Africa ’ s already scarce water resources . By doing this , we are able to protect our important water resource areas .
THE INDUSTRY IS COMMITTED
Amanda Stops , chief executive officer for the SACSC , said that the above provided an indication of what just a few of the role players in the shopping centre industry have implemented to deal with the current water situation in Cape Town . “ From the many initiatives detailed , one can see that this is a priority for the shopping centre industry — a situation that has been taken very seriously . The industry is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders and finding solutions in order to continue to provide safe , comfortable shopping environments ,” she said . CLA
44 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • March | April 2018