CASE STUDIES
NuWater Project Case Studies:
Real-World Solutions Across Industries
NuWater’s work spans agriculture, mining, municipalities, residential communities, and the power sector. Across all of these environments, one theme remains constant: smart, mobile, and scalable water treatment systems that deliver immediate value while protecting the environment.
1. Agricultural:
Sustaining a Poultry Operation with Clean Water
The Challenge
A leading poultry producer in South Africa faced escalating water restrictions and dwindling access to municipal supplies. Boreholes were drilled to supplement water needs, but tests revealed the groundwater was unsuitable—containing excessive minerals and contaminants. Without a reliable supply of clean water, egg production was at risk, along with the livelihoods of hundreds of employees and the local food supply chain.
NuWater’s Smart, Mobile Response
NuWater deployed a compact, containerised water treatment unit designed for remote operation. The system was configured with ultrafiltration (UF) for solids removal and reverse osmosis (RO) to purify the water to the high standard required for poultry operations. Built-in safeguards and automation meant minimal operator input was needed, and water quality was consistent regardless of fluctuations in raw water supply.
The Outcome
- Reliable, continuous supply of process-quality water
- Protection of egg production capacity and jobs
- Demonstrated how mobile systems can keep essential industries resilient under water scarcity conditions
2. Mining:
Preventing Environmental Disaster at a Colliery
The Challenge
At an open-pit coal mine near the Vaal River, wastewater was being stored in a large reservoir already nearing capacity. Without intervention, there was a serious risk of overflow—potentially contaminating a river system that provides water to more than 12 million people in Gauteng province.
NuWater’s Rapid, Scalable Solution
Within just six weeks, NuWater designed, delivered, and commissioned the first 4 MLD of a mobile water treatment plant. Capacity was expanded in stages—an additional 4 MLD every four weeks—until the system reached 15 MLD. Later, the plant was flexibly operated between 10 MLD and 20 MLD depending on mine requirements.
The treated water was then supplied to Eskom’s 3700 MW Lethabo Power Station, easing strain on the Vaal River system. To address technical issues, NuWater implemented inline acid dosing and membrane adjustments, which successfully resolved aluminum fouling challenges.
The Outcome
- Averted a major environmental disaster
- Enabled compliance with water regulations
- Secured water for both mining and energy production
3. Municipal & Residential
Recovering Lost Water and Revenue
The Challenge
A drought-stricken municipality was facing catastrophic water losses: up to 20 million litres per day were wasted during filter backwash due to outdated infrastructure. This not only strained available supplies but also translated into lost revenue—undermining the municipality’s ability to invest in upgrades.
NuWater’s Self-Funding Intervention
NuWater provided a fully automated, mobile water treatment unit to operate alongside the existing plant. The system:
- Enhanced treatment capacity
- Recovered lost volumes
- Stabilised water quality
- Generated new sales revenue
The Outcome
- The intervention effectively paid for itself: the additional income from water sales covered the system’s operational costs. The municipality gained a cost-neutral solution while delivering more water to its residents.
4. Power:
Recovering Lost Water and Revenue
The Challenge
A concentrated solar power plant in the Northern Cape was running out of space in its wastewater evaporation ponds, due to large startup discharges and low evaporation rates. Without intervention, plant operations were at risk of forced shutdown.
NuWater’s On-Time Intervention
NuWater rapidly deployed a rental treatment plant, capable of reducing pond levels and processing wastewater safely. Within a month, the system was onsite and running. It operated for four months, with the option to extend the rental period if needed.
The Outcome
- Prevented costly operational disruptions
- Delivered an immediate solution without the burden of heavy capital expenditure
- Showcased the flexibility of NuWater’s rental model for power clients
Why These Case Studies Matter?
Together, these projects demonstrate why NuWater stands apart in the global water treatment sector:
- Mobile & Modular: Units can be delivered, installed, and producing treated water in weeks—not years.
- Adaptive Innovation: From UF and RO to dosing control and modular scaling, solutions are tailored to client challenges.
- Financially Smart: Many systems are self-funding, or made accessible through rental models that avoid large upfront costs.
- Environmental Impact: NuWater solutions safeguard rivers, reduce waste, and ensure resilient access to water.
