A dairy factory based in the coastal town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, has been declared the first zero water technologies site in the Southern Hemisphere.

The plant, which was launched by the minister of Water and Sanitation recently, is a product of Nestlé South Africa’s efforts to assist the water stressed town by installing new water recovery, treatment and recycling technology at its Mossel Bay dairy factory.

The quest to zero water intake

Through this initiative, Nestlé will be able to reduce the factory’s water consumption by more than 50% during the first year of implementation, by simply re-using the water recovered from the milk evaporation process. The company’s vision for the initiative is to become a zero water intake facility by means of reusing milk water.

The factory processes fresh cow’s milk, normally containing around 88% water, through an evaporation process.  The evaporated water is captured and treated and used to various applications within the facility eliminating the need for municipal water intake for these processes.

Contributing to a healthier future

According to Nestlé South Africa’s chairman and managing director, Rémy Ejel, The Zero Water Project is a perfect example of the company’s commitment to enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future of individuals, communities and the planet.

“This project will have a positive impact on the treatment, recycling, conservation and water use efficiencies in our Mossel Bay factory. It will also link our business directly with local dairy farmers, suppliers, local government and the broader Mossel Bay community,” he said.

Inaugurating the plant, Minister Nkwinti congratulated the company for its effort to reduce water consumption.

“This being the first plant of its kind to be launched in the Southern Hemisphere, I would like to encourage other private sector partners to follow suit and showcase their efforts. This can be done through the critical Strategic Water Partners Network where possible” Nkwinti noted.