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Load-shedding is having a devastating impact on the quality of water in our country.

The South African Water Chamber (SAWC) has warned that the continuous blackouts are negatively affecting the water that can be pumped into reservoirs and purified. Around 6% of South Africa’s total energy consumption is dedicated to water purification and transportation and when electricity is unavailable due to load-shedding, it becomes a double-edged sword as there is no power to pump sewage out of urban areas, which leads to a major public health problem.

Further to that, according to the Green Drop Report 2022, 52% of our sewage treatment works fall into risk categories. Sewage works are discharging inadequately treated sewage effluent into water courses that may eventually become the source water for our bulk drinking water treatment systems.

The Health Crisis Caused by Load-shedding

Load-shedding can lead to a public health crisis, as there is a risk of contamination from untreated sewage water. Sewage pump stations rely on electricity to pump sewage out of cities, and without power, sewage can overflow and contaminate the environment. In January 2023, there were already several beach closures in Cape Town due to sewage pollution caused by load-shedding. With the continued implementation of stages four and five, and now stage six of load-shedding, it is essential to find a solution to the problem of not having electricity to pump sewage out of cities.

Alternative Energy Sources for Sewage Pumps

One solution to the problem of not having electricity to pump sewage out of cities is to implement alternative energy sources such as solar power, wind power, or hydropower. These renewable sources of energy can be used to power sewage pumps even when the grid is down due to load-shedding. In the meantime, it’s important to find ways to ensure the safety of our water supply.

H2O | BWT Water Filters: A Solution for the Load-shedding Crisis

We understand that load-shedding can be a stressful time, especially when it comes to ensuring the safety of your water supply. At H2O | BWT, we offer water filters that provide a reliable solution to help keep your family safe and hydrated, even during power outages. Our filters use various methods to filter out impurities and contaminants, such as activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis membranes, and ultraviolet sterilisation. Many of our water filters are designed to operate even without electricity, ensuring that you and your family have access to clean and safe drinking water at all times.

To ensure the safety of your water, we offer a personalised service that begins with taking a sample of your water. Our team of experts will analyse the sample in our state-of-the-art laboratory to identify the specific contaminants and impurities that are present in your water. This will enable us to suggest the most suitable water filtration system to meet your family’s unique needs.

In these challenging times of load-shedding and water quality issues in South Africa, we want to assure you that we are here to help. At H2O | BWT, we are committed to providing high-quality water filters and personalised service to ensure the safety and wellbeing of you and your loved ones.