Water, Sewage & Effluent January February 2019 | Page 10

The City of Cape Town has recognised 14 organisations for their integrated water management efforts. Read more below: The Water and Sanitation Department’s Water Star-Rating Certification system promotes best practices in water management, conservation, and pollution control in the business sector, government departments, education and health institutions, and residential estates. The certification underscores the continuation of the strong partnerships forged between the City and the private sector that saw Cape Town get through the recent severe and rare drought and ensures wise use of water over the long term. The following entities have been certified: • Astroenergy • Virgin Active Constantia • SAB (Newlands) • Old Mutual (Pinelands) • Vector Logistics Solutions • BG Servers • Finlar Foods • First Rand Group • Portside Body Corporate • Vital Health Foods • TraX Interconnect • Aerosol and Cosmetics • Juno Corporation South Africa Under the star-rating system, participants that receive one star are certified as compliant with the relevant water legislation and the City’s water by-laws. This in itself is a great Office, Water- wise stars recognised The Water and Sanitation Department’s Water Star-Rating Certification system underscores the continuation of the strong partnerships forged between the City and the private sector that saw Cape Town get through the recent severe drought. achievement. Participants that are awarded between two and five stars are certified for also implementing different degrees of additional measures to manage water sources, uses, conservation, and discharge. Those who achieve five stars, such as Astroenergy, Virgin Active Constantia, SAB, and Old Mutual, are certified as champion innovators that have found unique or extraordinary ways in which to manage water wisely, limit water pollution, and thereby protect the environment. However, even organisations that received one star are compliant with the applicable legislation and by-laws. These awards are intended to motivate all organisations to achieve certification and to ensure that the requirements of the relevant water legislation are adhered to. The certification enables the private sector, especially, to reap the benefits of self-regulation, rather than government- led regulation, which in itself contributes to more sustainable water management throughout the value chain. The City’s executive deputy mayor, Alderman Ian Neilson, says, “It is a wonderful way to celebrate the fact that Cape Town has emerged from such a trying time. We encourage more businesses, and private and public sector partners to take part in this certification process. Travelling on the journey of greater sustainability and efficiency in all of our operations is a way to future-proof us as a city against climatic shocks and uncertainty. The resource and water- wise path also enhances our efficiency, saves costs, and sets an example to the rest of society that we are the guardians today of what our children will inherit tomorrow. “As a City, we are truly proud of what has been achieved by these water-wise stars and also the broader Cape Town community. We reiterate our commitment to building stronger and more inclusive partnerships with the private sector, other public organisations, and our residents to help Cape Town become a more resilient city. Change is not easy and it takes a lot of hard work, vision, and leadership. We are seeing this hard work, vision, and leadership across our society and efforts to become more water- and resource-wise should be commended,” concludes Neilson.  To advertise in Water, Sewage & Effluent, please contact our sales team on [phone] www.waterafrica.co.za 10 Water Sewage & Effluent January/February 2019 [email protected] www.waterafrica.co.za