IMD

In line with its commitment to introducing practical water quality solutions in Southern Africa, innovative water group, Headstream Water Solutions, in association with the Thebe Foundation, launched a water purification system in Nkuzana, Northern KZN.

Ceramic Candle Filters are specifically designed to remove disease-causing pathogens often found in river water. Justin Moore, CEO of Headstream Water Solution, a member of Thebe Group, said the objective of the Nkuzana project is to demonstrate each of the filter devices can produce adequate volumes of potable water from polluted sources in a pilot project. The pilot will be monitored over a three month period before a decision is made on whether to proceed with a major roll-out throughout KZN.  

CEO of Headstream Water Holdings South Africa, Justin Moore, with one of the ceramic candle filter units.

Headstream was responsible for deploying the filter technology, which involved procuring exclusive rights to the technology, logistics of importing, assembly of the units, participating in the launch and organising training and monitoring procedures. The Thebe Foundation co-ordinated the efforts from Thebe subsidiary and associate companies to sponsor and provide the devices. Another member of the Thebe Group of companies, FX Africa Foreign Exchange, sponsored the Hippo Roller, a complementary product to be used to transport water from polluted rivers and borehole sources to dwellings where filter devices are deployed.

With regards to future plans on implementing similar projects elsewhere in South Africa, Moore said: “We hope to source sufficient funding and sponsorship from South African Corporate Social Initiative (CSI) programmes and to move into all areas where communities are exposed to polluted water and the resulting water borne diseases. The immediate priorities are Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West Province and parts of Gauteng.” Moore, who not only identified the product, but also managed to put a good team together, highlighted the importance of giving back to the community.

With sufficient funding from corporates, water technologists and trainers will be hired and indiviuals within community groups will be given the opportunity to get involved in the application of future projects in their communities. According to Moore, the logistics for distribution have already been put into place. 

For more detailed explanations and the history of international disaster relief deployments of the filter technology visit www.justwater.me.