The following case studies demonstrate, with example business cases, how an investment in a water resilience project can be justified in terms of the strategic direction of the business and the benefits it will deliver.

GreenCape’s water resilience case studies:

• Why making businesses water resilient makes financial sense: This brief demonstrates the financial viability of investing in a variety of water efficiency interventions by presenting different business contexts.
• Water-saving campaign and reusing rinsing water: Quality Beverages reduced their water use by 27%
• Equipment automation and process adaptation: ACA Threads reduced their water consumption by 70% between 2012 and 2017
• Conversion from water-cooling to air-cooling machinery and the recycling of process water: Transpaco Flexibles reduced their water use by 85%
• Water recycling and technological readjustments: PPC Cement reduced its water use by 50% per ton of cement by-product produced
• Water monitoring system and smart water flow meters: Excellent Meat achieved a 30% reduction in water consumption from 2017 to 2020 and saved R 1 139 355
• Off grid sanitation system: Cango Caves reduces potable water demand by 60% saving ~R163 200 in the first year
• Water crisis plan: In 2018, having already installed water storage tanks, incentivised staff to reduce water consumption and suspended on-site irrigation, Shoprite developed a water crisis plan which resulted in reduced water use intensity (l/m²) by 8.7% between July 2018 and June 2019
• Ablution facility retrofits and alternative water and greywater treatment plants: Virgin Active reduced water usage by 62%
• Process and behavioural changes: Old Mutual reduced water use by 35%, from 15 000 kl to below 10 000 kl per month
• Rainwater reuse: Bayside Mall reduced water consumption for public toilet flushing and landscape irrigation by 93%
• Water metering and awareness campaigns: The Vineyard Hotel reduced its monthly water consumption by 30%

The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) is a free facilitation service to businesses in support of resource exchanges between matched businesses. Their case studies:

• Textiles:
  • Fabricating Innovation 
  • Recycling makes cents
  • Banners to bags 
  • Stuffing for bears who care
• Food and beverage:
  • Apples to apples
  • Diverting egg whites from landfill

Water Research Commission case studies:

• Sustainable reuse of wineries wastewater for vineyard irrigation
• Constructed wetlands for reuse of wineries wastewater

Stockholm International Water Institute Catalogue of International Case Studies