Veolia’s comprehensive approach to complete water cycle management
As water scarcity continues to pose significant challenges across Southern Africa, Veolia has established itself as a pioneer in comprehensive water management, delivering solutions that extend far beyond conventional service models.
CEO Thierry Witkowicz articulates how the company is revolutionising the sector through water treatment solutions that take into account decarbonization objectives, notably producing green energy from water itself. Nowadays, treatment plants must be energy self-sufficient or even produce energy for some. “Managing the entire water cycle means that Veolia provides services, from natural resources such as rivers, dams, seas or lakes, to discharge into the environment after use,” explains Mr Witkowicz.
This global methodology encompasses pumping, networks, drinking water production facilities, treatment plants, energy production stations and water reuse stations.
Veolia’s particularity lies in the emphasis placed on a holistic approach where the entirety of what Mr Witkowicz calls the “short water cycle” is taken into account in order to protect the resource, produce decarbonised energy and restore natural environments. “This global approach distinguishes Veolia from its competitors because most companies generally specialise in specific areas: studies only, or construction, or operation in the industrial or municipal market, but rarely like Veolia across the entire chain, including financing, which is a key point today!”, he observes.
Integrated utility solutions for industrial clients
For industries including mining and manufacturing, Veolia has developed a distinctive multi-utility approach. Rather than addressing water requirements in isolation, the company integrates water, solid waste, and energy solutions to establish economic sustainability.
“If you focus solely on water solutions, you require the industry to increase expenditure to compensate for services,” Witkowicz explains. “However, when we begin with energy optimisation – and our experience demonstrates we can achieve over 10% energy savings, these cost reductions can be reinvested into water system improvements.”
This integrated methodology extends to waste management, where organic waste from food and beverage companies is combined with water treatment sludge to generate biogas. “Our objective is to achieve zero liquid discharge, which represents an excellent target pursued by numerous industries worldwide, alongside zero CO2 emissions,” states Witkowicz.
Digital transformation in water management
Veolia has entered digital innovation by establishing its own digital factory, which develops new applications using all the data generated by operators, equipment, and monitoring systems. Specific tools also enable operators worldwide to connect. “An operator in Durban, an operator in Overstrand, where we manage a large-scale project, or an operator in Windhoek, Namibia, can now collaborate with operators facing similar challenges and discuss solutions with their colleagues around the world,” explains Witkowicz.
Thanks to all the data collected, more than one million per day for a typical water system, it is possible to achieve real savings. “For example, in the future, thanks to digital technology, in case of a leak in the water network, sensors will automatically send an immediate notification to operators precisely locating the leak, indicate the process to follow, and instantly inform all affected consumers, whereas today everything is done manually, which involves many different departments and takes much more time. The digital revolution is not just an IT project, it’s a modernisation project where teams must be trained and organised differently,” he explains.
Innovative Projects Throughout the Region
Veolia operates three pioneering contracts across Southern Africa. In Windhoek, the company has implemented the world’s first direct potable reuse system, processing sewage to produce drinking water. “We collect sewage, treat it comprehensively, and introduce the potable water into the distribution network,” Witkowicz notes.
In Durban, Veolia has established an innovative model where industries pay directly for treated wastewater, while in Hermanus (Overstrand), Veolia manages all water infrastructure except the network.
Regarding future developments, Witkowicz identifies the most significant transformation in contractual approaches. “Innovation flourishes when comprehensive solutions are implemented,” he emphasises. “An all-One approach means one company assumes complete responsibility. Key performance indicators are established, but everything is included from maintenance, repairs, upgrades, renewal and ongoing operations.”
Thierry Witkowicz’s guidance to organisations pursuing water resilience is unambiguous: “Water should not be considered in isolation. Organisations must simultaneously address water, waste, and energy management. This integrated approach generates substantial cost savings.”
As Southern Africa confronts escalating water challenges, Veolia’s integrated methodology provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable water management that simultaneously addresses economic, environmental, and operational requirements.
