KSB unveils locally engineered wastewater pump to tackle South Africa’s sewage infrastructure crisis
SOUTH Africa’s wastewater infrastructure is buckling under pressure. Ageing treatment plants, rising sewage volumes, and maintenance backlogs have created a perfect storm of pump failures, blockages, and environmental spillages. Against this backdrop, KSB Pumps and Valves has launched the ELN-150 Imvubu, a self-priming wastewater pump designed, tested, and manufactured entirely in South Africa to tackle the specific challenges that plague municipal and industrial operators across the continent.
Building on decades of local expertise
KSB South Africa began manufacturing self-priming pumps in 2005, developing a range specifically suited to Southern African conditions. The company’s local production includes the ELB, ELK, and ELS series, which handle grey and black water systems with screened solids of 50–75mm. These pumps have become trusted choices in dewatering, sludge transfer, and screened sewage applications.
However, KSB identified a critical market need: solutions capable of handling raw, unscreened sewage containing solids of 76mm and larger – one of the most challenging environments for pump design.
“We listened to the market, where customers told us exactly where the problems lie—pump clogging, difficult seal replacement, thin casings that wear quickly, and designs that simply don’t stand up to raw, unscreened sewage,” says Hugo du Plessis, product manager for Wastewater at KSB Pumps and Valves.
Engineering for African conditions
Named after the Zulu word for hippopotamus, the Imvubu carries a double meaning. Its distinctive top-mounted lifting “ears” mimic a hippo’s profile in water, while its massive free-pass capacity mirrors the animal’s ability to handle oversized material.
Developed using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, the Imvubu delivers measurable performance advantages:
- Hydraulic efficiency exceeding 65% – well ahead of competitor self-priming pumps
- 77.3mm free-pass solids handling – exceeding the global raw sewage benchmark of 76mm
- Bearings-for-life with no oil lubrication – using grease-for-life bearings and KSB’s own mechanical seal
“The free pass is what sets us apart. If a pump can pass a bigger solid, it will clog less. Less clogging means fewer callouts, less downtime, and less cost,” du Plessis explains.
Practical design for real-world maintenance
The Imvubu addresses the realities of South Africa’s strained infrastructure through thoughtful engineering. Heavy-duty volute walls resist erosion and extend operating life. An inspection hatch allows staff to clear blockages without removing the suction cover – a major advantage for municipal maintenance teams working with limited resources.
Unlike competing pumps requiring oil chambers and contamination-prone top-up checks, the Imvubu’s grease-for-life bearings create an environmentally cleaner, safer maintenance profile. Speed adjustments use simple pulley changes, and the pump handles both low-to-high heads and flows, effectively doing the work of two pumps. It can even be mounted on diesel skids for remote pumping or flood emergency use.
“We’ve made this pump for Africa – that’s why we made it to be maintained using basic tools,” says du Plessis.
The pump has completed extended testing at the Drakenstein Wastewater Treatment Works in the Western Cape, operating continuously with excellent results. Applications extend beyond municipal wastewater to mining sumps, industrial effluent, pulp and paper operations, agricultural waste dams, and portable dewatering units.
Local manufacturing as strategic advantage
Darren Ward, KSB’s Western Cape branch manager, emphasises the importance of local production in a market where many competitors have reduced their South African presence.
“Many of our competitors have shifted to an import-only model. KSB has gone the other way. We’ve invested in South African manufacturing expertise and nationwide support through our SupremeServ service network. Our customers are getting lifetime support from people who understand local wastewater challenges,” Ward explains.
The SupremeServ network offers field service, maintenance, and pump refurbishment through regional branches and certified technicians, while the SupremeServ Academy provides training for customers and operators.
Because the Imvubu is 100% locally manufactured, it aligns with the Department of Trade and Industry’s localisation incentives, supporting South African industry and employment while positioning KSB as a contributor in exporting high-value engineered products across Sub-Saharan Africa.
A timely solution for critical infrastructure
Du Plessis notes the self-priming pump market in South Africa remains largely dominated by imported brands, presenting significant growth opportunity.
“This is a pump we’re proud to build in South Africa – it keeps our people employed and shows we can compete with and lead international brands. We don’t follow; we leapfrog.”
“Our Imvubu pump is a direct answer to many of the failures making national headlines. Municipalities and utilities urgently need equipment that can keep working with minimum attention to clear the backlog – and the answer is the KSB Imvubu.”
