On behalf of the City of Cape Town, the Water Research Commission has established an Independent Advisory Panel (IAP) for water re-use in Cape Town

The City is following a collaborative approach in implementing its Water Strategy. It has partnered with the South African Water Research Commission (WRC) to coordinate and provide research, development, transparency, and accountability for the implementation of the proposed water reuse and desalination projects.

The City's objective for the IAP is to support the transparent development of water reuse, particularly the Faure New Water Scheme (NWS), through the appropriate application of science, engineering and related best practices. The City is nearing the completion of the design phase for the Faure New Water Scheme, which will produce up to 100 million litres (Megalitres) per day.

'The members appointed to the new Independent Advisory Panel will be providing expert scientific, technical, engineering, and project implementation advice, in key disciplines. It will span stakeholder engagement, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, testing, validation, and the operation phases of the Faure NWS. The IAP members will be required to review project documentation; participate in sub-group meetings, and provide advice and support in response to questions raised by the City and its engineering team,' said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

The new panel comprises eleven recognised academic and industry professionals with wide-ranging expertise and extensive experience. Seven of the eleven are local/regional experts, including:

Dr Esper Ncube, Water Institute of Southern Africa Water Reuse Division Chairperson;

Dr Kevin Winter, Lead Researcher, Future Water Institute, University of Cape Town;

Ms Megan Schalkwyk, Lead Process Engineer, Umgeni Water Reuse Demonstration plant;

Ms Bettina Genthe, Public health consultant;

Ms Carin Bosman, Environmental and water governance consultant;

Dr Sarah JC Slabbert, Communications Consultant and

Mr Jurgen Menge, Consultant, Windhoek, Namibia.

Their international counterparts include:

Ian Law, Principal Consultant, Australia;

Prof. Frederic Leusch, Professor at the School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Australia;

Dr James Crook, Independent Environmental Engineering Consultant and Chair of the Groundwater Replenishment System in Orange County, California, USA, and

Troy Walker, Consultant, Water Reuse/Membrane Technology, USA.

The work of the panel will be independently managed by the Water Research Commission, with regular reporting to the City.

'I am extremely happy with the establishment of the IAP. Partnerships such as these provide an opportunity for an integrated approach and offer a platform to ensure guidance through the necessary direction, skills and ideas,' said Councillor Badroodien.

Source: City Of Cape Town