SOUTH AFRICA – Nestle South Africa has launched a zero water dairy manufacturing facility in Mossel Bay, Western Cape that will see the Swiss multinational company educe the factory’s water consumption by more than 50% during the first year of implementation.

Equipped with new water recovery, treatment and recycling technology, the facility will reuse the water recovered from milk evaporation process, saving 168-million litres of water a year.

The initiative called Project ZerEau, aims to become a zero water intake facility by reusing and recycling water from its dairy operations.

Mossel Bay dairy 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.

It is located in one of the Western Cape’s most water stressed regions and according to Nestle, the water saving initiative was vital in supporting the town’s efforts to manage this crisis and ensure efficient water usage.

Mossel Bay Municipality and surrounding areas are reported to have experienced one of its worst droughts in recorded history between 2008 and 2010 leading to municipal water-use restrictions.

Remy Ejél Nestlé, Nestlé South Africa’s chairman and managing director said that every person has the right to water and sanitation, and therefore remains committed to supporting the ambition of the United Nations to universal access to safe water and sanitation.

“Project ZerEau is a perfect example of our 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.

Commenting on the matter Ravi Pillay, Nestlé corporate affairs director highlighted that the project would increase Mossel Bay municipality’s water capacity.

It also improves wastewater volume reduction and wastewater quality in the long run releasing capacity at the municipality’s wastewater treatment plant.

He further stated that the project created methane gas as a by-product, which was used to power a boiler, reducing energy usage.

The Nestlé Mossel Bay factory produces milk products such as Nespray, Nido, Klim, a portfolio of condensed and culinary milks.