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Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater treatment is the industrial and municipal process of removing contaminants from used water to make it safe for discharge into the environment or suitable for reuse. The sector encompasses physical, chemical and biological treatment methods that reduce pollutants, pathogens and nutrients in water from domestic, commercial and industrial sources. Treatment typically occurs in stages: primary treatment removes solids through screening and sedimentation; secondary treatment uses biological processes to break down organic matter; and tertiary treatment applies advanced filtration, disinfection or nutrient removal to meet stringent quality standards. Wastewater treatment is essential for public health, environmental protection and water security, particularly in water-scarce regions where treated effluent can be recycled for irrigation, industrial cooling or potable reuse. The industry is capital-intensive, requiring significant infrastructure investment in treatment plants, pipelines and monitoring systems. Operators range from municipal utilities to private concessionaires and specialised technology providers. In Africa, wastewater treatment capacity lags behind urbanisation rates, with many cities discharging untreated or partially treated effluent into rivers and coastal waters. Drivers for sector growth include stricter environmental regulation, rising water stress, circular economy policies and the recognition of wastewater as a recoverable resource for water, energy and nutrients. Challenges include high energy consumption, skilled-operator shortages, aging infrastructure and the need for climate-resilient designs.

Wastewater Treatment News


Image of the WESS ENV200-C clamp-on ultrasonic density meter from Royce Water Systems
Non-invasive measuring system ensures continuous uptime and eliminates equipment damage
29th May 2026

Measuring instruments supplier Royce Water Systems specialises in high-performance instrumentation designed for the most demanding environments. Operational since 2007, the company supplies... 


An image of Chetan Mistry
Flotation polishing integral to wastewater improvement
24th April 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is gaining traction as a post-biological polishing step in municipal wastewater treatment, improving effluent consistency by removing fine solids, algae and nutrient... 


An image of Shoba Govender
Innovative approaches needed for effective conservation
24th April 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

As South Africa grapples with mounting water stress, innovative approaches to waste management are emerging as crucial aspects of water conservation, with integrated waste management solutions... 


A generic image of wastewater
Wastewater plants flagged as AMR gene reservoirs
24th April 2026

There is increased evidence that extracellular DNA (exDNA) - genetic material released from bacteria killed during the water treatment process – may act as a previously underappreciated reservoir... 


Xylem launches dissolved air filtration solutions in South Africa
17th April 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

Global water technology company Xylem has unveiled its new Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) products and services for the South African market. DAF is a compact and convenient industrial wastewater... 


Minimal maintenance knife gate valves are key in industrial fluid control
Minimal maintenance knife gate valves are key in industrial fluid control
15th April 2026

Knife gate valves are indispensable tools in the field of industrial fluid control as they are crucial for isolating and regulating flow in various sectors. Vesconite Bearings development engineer... 


Talbot CEO, Carl Haycock officially opens the Industrial Water Security Hub at Dube TradePort, La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal, on 20 March 2026, joined by directors and shareholders
Talbot launches new industrial water security hub at Dube Tradeport
15th April 2026

Water services company Talbot has officially opened its new industrial water security hub at Dube TradePort in La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal, marking a major milestone in the company’s growth and its... 


Sanitech Prototype cuts waste handling in mines with integrated treatment unit
10th April 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

Sanitech has developed a new sanitation prototype designed for the demanding conditions in South Africa’s mining environments, where sanitation is often a major logistical challenge. Many existing... 


Image of a portable toilet to show the Sanitech sanitation prototype
Locally developed sanitation solution for SA mines
19th March 2026

A new sanitation prototype designed specifically for South African mining environments has been developed in-house by Sanitech. The solution treats waste at the point of use, aimed at reducing... 


Pump innovations in wastewater treatment enable progress towards water security
Pump innovations in wastewater treatment enable progress towards water security
12th March 2026

Untreated wastewater remains a major contributor to global water scarcity and environmental degradation. The World Health Organisation estimates that 44% of household wastewater is not treated... 


Verder Pumps image
Pump innovations in wastewater treatment enable progress towards water security
12th March 2026

Untreated wastewater remains a major contributor to global water scarcity and environmental degradation. The World Health Organisation estimates that 44% of household wastewater is not treated... 


Wheaton CEO Randy Smallwood
Wheaton names wastewater treatment solutions provider the winner of its Future of Mining Challenge
3rd March 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Precious metals investment vehicle Wheaton Precious Metals Corp has selected wastewater treatment solutions provider Cetos Water as the winner of its second yearly Future of Mining Challenge and... 


An image of a water treatment plant
Green-Tech integration strengthens quality, innovation
27th February 2026

Wastewater treatment company Sanitech announced the integration of water and waste solutions company Green-Tech’s technology into its operations, marking a significant step in strengthening its... 


AGSA report lays bare a water sector in systemic collapse
23rd January 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

The Auditor-General South Africa’s (AGSA’s) first consolidated water-sector audit report reveals systemic breakdowns across the water value chain, which poses significant risks to public health,... 


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