Rand Water | Integrated Annual Report 2025

Exploring alternative raw water sources

To remain agile and combat water scarcity challenge related to climate change, Rand Water is exploring viability to incorporate alternative raw water sources in our processes. This proactive approach reduces our reliance on single vulnerable source and provides an opportunity to diversify our sources. Researching and implementing new treatment methods for these alternative sources is a key strategic goal, ensuring we can maintain a resilient and continuous water supply. WATER TREATMENT RESIDUE MANAGEMENT Over the years Rand Water Panfontein disposal site has been experiencing limited disposal capacity challenge. Panfontein has 90 existing drying beds, of which 14 have been sacrificed. The remaining drying beds, which are predominantly full, are assigned for rehabilitation and operation concurrently. Disposal capacity is a long-standing challenge. The current method of handling the final Water Treatment Residue (WTR) is the deposition onto drying beds. This method is not sustainable because more drying beds would be required as time progresses. To this end, beneficiation of the WTR is being investigated. However, implementation and scale will not be realised in the short-term. Therefore, a medium-term solution, which is currently underway, is the construction of a stockpile area within Panfontein. Furthermore, any removal of WTR from Panfontein requires compliance with the cradle-to-grave principle of environmental waste management principle and legislation, notwithstanding the challenges of the storage capacity, water treatment residue is contained in a systematic manner within our boundaries furthermore there has not been reportable incident recorded within the 2024/25 financial year. Interventions underway to storage challenges The operational challenges are being addressed by several interventions as follows: Short to medium intervention : Construction of a stockpile area and rehabilitation of drying beds at Panfontein. This project aims to create the much-needed disposal capacity at Panfontein. This project will be a mid-term solution while awaiting long term beneficiation. The project commenced in September 2023 and has been progressing well. Due to operational loading and heavy rainfall, the designated rehabilitation of 40 drying beds is proving challenging. The sacrificing of drying beds and the creation of the stockpile area is effective currently but will not be sustainable in the long-term. For 2024/25 financial year, 38 drying beds completed as short to medium intervention to storage challenges to enable business continuity. Long-term intervention : Water treatment residue beneficiation at Panfontein, these project aim to institute long-term beneficiation of WTR at Panfontein. Initiatives have been piloted successfully and are currently being explored for full-scale implementation. ENSURING GOOD QUALITY WATER SUPPLY Our water quality reporting is a direct and transparent account of our commitment to public health protection. The supply of safe potable water is of highest priority to our organisation. Rand Water places a high premium on public safety. The challenges, such as ageing infrastructure, industrial pollution, and the impacts of climate change on water sources, require innovative and persistent efforts to maintain compliance with these standards. Thus, the report not only demonstrates adherence to regulatory requirements but also transparently addresses the complexities involved in ensuring that every drop of water meets the high-quality standards expected by our customers.

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Rand Water | Integrated Annual Report 2025