CTICC enhances water-saving success, constructs reverse osmosis plant

Building on its success of a 30% water saving initiative, the CTICC's new reverse osmosis plant will serve as an ultra-filtration system which will remove salt and contaminants from underground sea water, by pushing it through a semi-permeable membrane at high pressure. This will, in turn, produce fully potable drinking water that will comply with the SANS 241 of 2015 Standard for Drinking Water.

21 Nov 2018

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The plant is currently in its test phase of implementation, and the centre is in the process of fine-tuning the extraction and purification process.

The plant is able to produce two hundred thousand litres in any 24-hour cycle, and additional storage tanks with a capacity of 400,000 litres allows the centre to cater toward potential maximum demand scenarios.

"The plant, in conjunction with our water storage capacity, will provide five times our average daily water consumption, thus ensuring that the CTICC can offer 100% water-neutral events," says Julie-May Ellingson, CTICC chief executive officer.

"The reverse osmosis plant is just one of our initiatives. Our water-wise campaign is a strategic response that makes sound business sense for the CTICC and our clients."

Other water-saving initiatives at the CTICC include:

• The addition of 265,000 litres of rain-water storage tanks. The CTICC reuses this water for cleaning activities inside the centre as well as running its cooling towers for the air conditioning system.

• Capturing the condensate from our air-conditioning units which is used for maintenance in and around the centre.

• Our water savings information boards, placed throughout the centre, inform visitors on the need to save water.

• The installation of water-smart showerheads in the centre’s meeting suites and aerators for taps in our main and satellite kitchens.

"I would like to thank all our delegates, clients and the CTICC team for their concerted efforts to support the CTICC’s water-saving initiatives. Our reverse osmosis plant will allow us to host water neutral events that impact positively on our economy without placing any burden on the City of Cape Town’s precious water resources," adds Ellingson.

As of September 2018, Western Cape dam levels reached 74.3% compared to 36.8% in 2017.