- Connecting to a water treatment borehole could save a firm P45 million
Botswana’s water story is one of quiet urgency beneath the surface. In a country where the arid Kalahari sands dominate the landscape and surface water is scarce, groundwater has become the lifeline sustaining both communities and industries. Yet, this resource is far from a simple solution. It is a costly, delicate balancing act of extraction, treatment, and containment — a challenge that Envesys Services, a Botswana-based environmental engineering firm, has embraced with innovation that could save companies millions, reshape water management, and offer a blueprint for water-scarce regions worldwide.
Botswana’s main source of water is groundwater, accounting for roughly 80 percent of the nation’s supply. Unlike many regions that rely heavily on rivers or lakes, the underground aquifers here are both a blessing and a burden. Borehole water often contains minerals and impurities that can corrode pipes, clog machinery, or pose health risks if untreated. This has historically pushed industries to rely on municipal water supplies, which come at a high cost and strain limited infrastructure. Envesys Services is transforming this paradigm by installing fully automated borehole water treatment plants that clean groundwater to potable standards, enabling companies to tap into this hidden resource safely and economically.
The financial impact of switching to borehole water treatment is profound. Consider a firm paying a monthly water bill of P200,000. By investing P3.5 million in a borehole treatment system, such a company could save approximately P45 million over two decades. This is not just about cost-cutting; it is about sustainable water security, especially for remote mining operations and industrial plants where municipal water delivery is both expensive and unreliable. Envesys has already demonstrated this at Botswana’s Sandfire mine, where their treatment systems have provided a durable solution, reducing dependency on municipal water and safeguarding the fragile water infrastructure.
But the challenge extends beyond just treating groundwater. Industrial processes in Botswana’s mining and manufacturing sectors often contend with wastewater laden with organic and nutrient-rich compounds that can be explosive or environmentally harmful if not properly managed. Here, containment systems designed by Envesys integrate advanced treatment techniques with ecological principles to mitigate risks. These systems do more than just hold contaminated water; they actively work to neutralize hazards while supporting the natural environment. This approach is crucial in Botswana, where mining forms a backbone of the economy and environmental stewardship is paramount.
Agriculture and aquaculture add further complexity to water management. In ornamental plant production, for instance, irrigation water containment methods must be tailored to specific water quality and quantity needs. Meanwhile, aquaculture increasingly depends on closed-containment systems that tightly control water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. These engineered systems enable intensive fish farming without contaminating natural waterways, a key advantage in protecting Botswana’s delicate ecosystems. Envesys’ solutions highlight how water containment is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor but a series of customized strategies designed to maximize efficiency and safety.
Water containment techniques also address the prevention of contamination spread and water loss. From underground water-sealed storage caverns to lined containment ponds, these systems ensure water security and environmental protection. Innovative methods such as bioaugmentation with floating booms act as bioreactors, limiting pollutant spread while fostering biodegradation. Containment ponds, lined with impermeable materials, capture and treat contaminated water before it is safely discharged. Geoffrey Koodirile, a borehole water treatment expert, emphasizes that efficient containment is essential to minimize water loss and safeguard surrounding environments against pollution.
Wastewater treatment is a critical but often overlooked piece of the puzzle. In Botswana, wastewater treatment plants serve as a biological and chemical barrier, preventing harmful contaminants—including genetically modified organisms or industrial microbes—from entering natural water systems. This containment function is vital in a country where sustainable water use is a matter of survival. By ensuring that wastewater is treated before reuse or discharge, these plants form the last line of defense, supporting the country’s broader environmental protection strategy.
Technological innovation is at the heart of Envesys’ impact. Their fully automated plants equipped with real-time online water quality monitoring allow rapid adjustments, ensuring continuous compliance with safety standards. Automation reduces manual oversight, cutting operational costs and minimizing human error. This technological edge is particularly crucial in Botswana’s water-scarce context, where any contamination or system failure can have outsized consequences.
Botswana’s National Water Conservation and Demand Management Strategy, launched in 2021, underscores the urgency of adopting such innovations. The strategy promotes water efficiency and encourages alternative sources like greywater recycling, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater reuse—measures designed to alleviate pressure on freshwater resources strained by urban growth and climate variability. The government’s push aligns closely with Envesys’ approach, embracing solutions that blend technology, environment, and economy.
Still, challenges persist. Botswana’s climate variability—marked by unpredictable droughts and sporadic heavy rainfall—demands containment systems that are resilient and adaptable. Infrastructure must be designed for local conditions, balancing water security with environmental protection. Success stories like Envesys’ projects show that when local knowledge intersects with cutting-edge technology, these challenges can be met head-on.
The economics of water treatment and containment in Botswana are compelling. Beyond the direct savings of borehole water treatment, sustainable water management enhances corporate responsibility and reduces environmental liabilities, making companies more attractive to investors. This economic dimension is critical in a country where industries operate in remote areas and water delivery costs soar.
Looking ahead, Botswana’s experience offers valuable lessons for other water-stressed regions. The key takeaway is that effective water solutions demand a multifaceted approach—one that integrates science, technology, economics, and local realities. Whether it’s a mining operation seeking reliable water, a fish farm protecting ecosystems, or a municipality extending scarce water resources, customization and innovation are essential.
Ultimately, Botswana’s water story is one of stewardship beneath the surface. Hidden beneath the arid land is a wealth of water potential, unlocked not by chance but by smart treatment and containment. With companies like Envesys leading the charge, this potential is becoming a foundation for resilience—quenching thirst, sustaining industry, and nurturing ecosystems for generations to come. In a world where water scarcity is an ever-growing threat, Botswana’s quiet revolution offers a beacon of hope and a model for sustainable water management.
CASE STUDIES – Sandfire, Lucara projects
At Sandfire copper mine Envesys Services, a company specializing in water management solutions, has installed a borehole and wastewater treatment system that is redefining how mining operations confront their water challenges. This kind of innovation is critical in a sector often criticized for ecological disruption, and it signals a shift toward more sustainable mining practices that don’t sacrifice operational efficiency.
At Sandfire, the primary challenge is managing the vast quantities of water that mining naturally generates and contaminates. Envesys Services has implemented a borehole system that taps into underground aquifers, paired with advanced wastewater treatment technologies designed to cleanse and recycle water within the mine’s operations. These technologies often use a combination of mechanical filtration, chemical treatment, and sometimes biological processes to remove contaminants before water is either reused or safely discharged. It’s a complex balance—mining requires water, but it also produces water laden with heavy metals and other pollutants. Envesys’ solution is about closing that loop, reducing environmental footprints without compromising the mine’s productivity.
Meanwhile, miles away at the Lucara diamond mine, Envesys Services has taken on a different but no less critical water infrastructure project. The company designed, installed, and commissioned a series of water storage tanks—two holding 49,000 liters each and four massive tanks with 139,000 liters capacity. These tanks are made from Zincalume, a steel alloy that blends zinc, aluminum, and silicon. Zincalume is increasingly favored over traditional galvanized steel for its superior durability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic qualities. The material’s composition allows it to resist rust and weathering far better than galvanized steel, which is essential in the harsh environments of mining operations where exposure to water, chemicals, and abrasive dust is constant.
Choosing Zincalume over galvanized steel is not just a matter of durability but also cost-effectiveness. While galvanized steel tanks might have a lower upfront cost, Zincalume’s longer lifespan and reduced maintenance needs translate into significant savings over years. The better resistance to corrosion means fewer repairs and less downtime, which in mining terms is money saved and operations maintained without interruption. The visual appeal of Zincalume also matters more than one might expect; cleaner, well-maintained infrastructure boosts morale on-site and reflects a company’s commitment to quality and sustainability.
The Lucara project didn’t stop at the tanks themselves. The Lucara project was managed by Team Engineers, a Botswana-based company who specialized in providing prefabricated structures. Envesys Services responsibility centered on everything related to water and sewerage systems. The contract, held by Team Engineers——covered the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and automation of all pumps and associated components, including reticulation networks.
Envesys Services played a crucial role within this framework, handling the design, supply, and commissioning of zincalume tanks, alongside the pumps and sewage systems, with full automation. This initiative was part of a broader effort focused on underground preparation projects. The scope extended to designing and constructing a camp capable of accommodating 250 people, an underground change house, and delivering comprehensive water facilities for both the camp and the change house.
This kind of integrated water management system highlights the growing sophistication of mining infrastructure. It isn’t just about storing or treating water; it’s about orchestrating a complex network of equipment and technology that works seamlessly to support the mine’s needs while minimizing environmental impact. The automation and commissioning processes require meticulous planning, skilled engineering, and rigorous testing to ensure reliability in some of the world’s most remote and challenging locations.
