The Innovation Hub startups solve water challenges

With one in three schools in South Africa without access to safe drinking water and clean sanitation, two innovators from The Innovation Hub's Climate Innovation Centre were determined to do their part to help.

Children aged six to 18 are most affected and most at risk of contracting waterborne diseases: polluted water can lead to serious bacterial, viral and parasitic illnesses which could be prevented by the installation of safe water treatment facilities and processes.

One innovative new approach is provided by Kusini Water’s macadamia nut shell filtration system.

“Over 15 million South Africans lack access to secure water and sanitation services. We aim to change that statistic – starting with local schools,” said Murendeni Mafumo, Founder of Kusini Water, a project incubated at The Innovation Hub.

Kusini Water have invented a water filtration system that uses macadamia nut shells to filter water. Globally, charcoal or coconut shells are the standard for water filtration, but after months of research, the company found that not only do macadamia nut shells have similar properties, they are freely available in South Africa. The filtration system is solar-powered, saving on electricity costs and making it a sustainable project to run at local schools, reducing the cost of production, and minimising the amount of fossil fuel in water production.

Kusini Water launched their first site this World Water Day at Reneilwe Primary School in Temba, Hammanskraal, a township where the water contains high levels of nitrates and phosphates and is currently not fit for human consumption. The launch unveiled a new water treatment plant that provides clean and safe water for the community, in partnership with DuPont, and the US Embassy South Africa.  

They are not alone in tackling this challenge: Eco-V’s GreenTower manufactured microgrids improve energy and water security in large communities such as old age homes and schools by harvesting solar energy and alternative water sources, reducing utility, water and electricity consumption significantly. 

They aim to provide energy, water and health security as a service at 1000 large South African urban high schools within the next five years. “GreenTower technology conserves potable water using borehole water where possible and recycling greywater for toilet and garden use. Purified ozone-treated water improves health naturally by oxygenation along with microbe, fungus, bacteria and virus disinfection for drinking, cleaning and bathing,” said Andre Nel, Founder of Eco-V.

“Water scarcity and pollution are major problems, not only for South Africans and our environment, but for our economy as well,” commented Advocate Pieter Holl, CEO of The Innovation Hub. “Innovations from entrepreneurs such as Kusini Water and Eco-V are prime examples of customised solutions to tackle South Africa’s water-related problems.”

Find out more about The Innovation Hub at https://www.theinnovationhub.com/.