Windhoek
As Namibians are being urged to save water, SABMiller Namibia has undertaken proactive steps to ensure water security and sustainability to stave off the effects of the country’s current water shortage, the company says.
SABMiller Namibia’s brewery in Okahandja, which was officially opened in July this year, is modelled on global best practices and is one of SABMiller’s most efficient and environmentally friendly breweries of its size in the world, greatly benefitting a country that has environmental sustainability at the core of its development, it adds.
Managing Director of SABMiller Namibia, Cobus Bruwer, announced that the business will cut its water usage by 20 percent by the end of 2015 as the brewery ramps up its plant commissioning. Bruwer noted that further sizeable reductions are deemed possible, should all technologies and lessons from other SABMiller breweries, especially in Australia and India, be applied.
SABMiller Namibia announced that in light of the water problems that Namibia faces, as well as SABMiller’s philosophy of sustainability, the company has also embarked on a nine-month source vulnerability assessment, that commenced in February 2015, to review the brewery’s water sources and catchment areas.
A comprehensive report on findings and ways forward is expected to be published in October 2015.
Namibia constantly faces water security challenges that affect its social and economic development. An unpredictable rainfall pattern, recent below-average rainfall, and reduced water availability requires Namibia to have an efficient water management policy.
Due to the fact that the region in which the brewery operates faces severe water challenges, the Welwitschia Brewery strategy, born from the report, will focus on the reduction of water consumption.
Namibia has a limited supply of alternative water sources and, according to the company, the brewery aims to secure national water supplies by working alongside stakeholders like NamWater and local communities to tackle water risks together. Bruwer said the country is semi-arid with limited and unevenly distributed water resources and thus companies must ensure their development plans do not compromise environmental sustainability.
“On a global level SABMiller has responsible water usage, local water security and long-term sustainability at the centre of its mandate.
SABMiller has cut its international water usage per litre of beer by 28 percent since 2008, while still maintaining growth in its production volumes.
“With the construction of each new brewery, SABMiller is increasing its understanding of water risks, simultaneously creating partnerships to tackle these risks; creating a world where businesses, local communities and ecosystems all share uninterrupted access to clean and safe water,” says Bruwer.