Brightwater Commons Saves Substantial Water Resources

Centre shows it is committed to Be Seen to be Green and Be Green

By: Yolanda van der Stoep - Shopping SA February 2009

The increasing burden our way of life is placing on resources and the negative effect our consumption patterns are having on the environment is swiftly leading to the destruction of our world. Water, which is essential for all life on Earth, is one of the resources mankind should do everything in its power to conserve as there is only a finite supply of fresh water left on the planet. Even though water composes about 70% of the Earth's surface some observers have estimated that by 2025 more than half of the world's population will be facing water- based vulnerability which has prompted the United Nations to proclaim a global water crisis.

Fortunately governments, captains of industry and the man in the street are realising that sustainable development is paramount to mankind's continued existence and the conservation of resources like water. Leading the way in this regard in the local retail property market is the Fountainhead Property Trust (FPT), the owners of The Brightwater Commons in Johannesburg - one of the first centres In Johannesburg to embark on the mammoth task of ''retrofitting green”. Having made a commitment to its shareholders, tenants and public, through the launch of Brightwater Commons' Carbon Offsetting Program in October last year, FPT has started moulding the centre into a retail entity that is environmentally friendly.

This with the help of turn-key sustainable development company, OrganiCarbon and reputable marketing and communication company, A-Z Philosophy that are assisting in plotting a sustainable way forward for the centre, which can be independently verified and is transparent. ''Corporate properties, like Brightwater Commons, are a major consumer of water resources. It is therefore one of the areas which Brightwater Commons targeted in support of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) statements and implementation of in immediate sustainable development objectives,'' says Trevor Matthews, the Retail Portfolio Manager of Fountainhead.

Water
In Organicarbon's evaluation of the centre it was found that Brightwater uses about 100 000 000 litres of water annually. By installing a water sustainable reticulation and a water storage system, to harness run off and rain water back into the irrigation system, substantial savings could be made both benefitting the environment and the centre's bottom line. This in addition to systems that were already in place that support the green cause, namely the bio filters installed for the filtration of the wet areas. These Sud-Chemie bio filters create a lot of environmental value for the centre as it ensures a natural environment without chemicals for the river ecosystem running through the centre. OrganiCarbon's appraisal showed the ideal area for storage tanks for the reticulation system would be located in the same environment as the bio filters and four reservoirs with a total capacity of 230 000 litres was duly installed in this area in January.

''While implementing the system cost a substantial amount it will create a massive Saving in Water consumption estimated at about 48 764 kl, which is equivalent to about 975 000 filled 50 litre drums, of water per annum, This is not to mention the cost effectiveness in the long run. Depending on rain fall the saving for Brightwater Commons could be as much as room 000 per yean'' says OrganiCarbon's CEO, Karen Van Helsdingen. ''This water reticulation and water storage project was installed in only two weeks and got off to a great start, with all four reservoirs filling to maximum capacity within only several days after its completions adds Clive Saunders, Operations Manager for Brightwater Commons.

Water from the reservoirs is constantly being used for irrigation and to fill the river system, immediately proving its worth. As only rain water and backwash water from the river system goes into the storage tanks, via a filter, the water is also completely safe for its current use. The reservoirs have also been installed in such a way that when the first two are full water will automatically run into the other two without needing to be pumped to these tanks, again saving on electricity. In the case were the reservoirs are full, water can be diverted from the sump back into the storm water drain and into the municipal waste water system. A 5,5 kW pump, pumps the water from the tanks to the irrigation hub system.

Although Brightwater commons has evolved from being a water-front entertainment destination to a shopping centre with open spaces and an environmental feel, water is still an integral part of its make-up. ''The above project was thus essential to the centre's sustainability allowing us to preserve and utilise our water to the best of our ability'' adds Saunders. ''These projects are evidence of Brightwater Commons' pro-active approach to managing waste and Be Seen to be Green and Be Green, and we are very proud to be associated with this project'' concludes Cheryl Adamson of A-Z Philosophy who can be contacted on 011 728 4032 for further details on green developments at the centre.

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