ACCIONA And WEC To Deliver Royal HaskoningDHV's Nereda Technology

Cooperation Agreements signed for Spain, Portugal and South Africa

International engineering and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV has signed Cooperation Agreements for its groundbreaking Nereda wastewater treatment technology for Spain and Portugal with ACCIONA Agua and with WEC Projects for South Africa.

The agreement with WEC Projects was signed in Johannesburg in the presence of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte, and the South African Minister of Small Business Development Ms Lindiwe Zulu mid November 2015. It was followed by the agreement with ACCIONA Agua which was signed on 30 November in Madrid.

Nereda is an innovative wastewater treatment technology that can be used for new and existing plants. Its implementation in existing water infrastructures in order to increase capacity and improve performance is an excellent solution for facilities whose operation is challenged by the age of construction, by raised treatment standard requirements, or by processes with high energy consumption. “Implementing the Nereda technologies in these facilities, while maintaining the footprint and reusing existing buildings, is the most viable solution at present for ACCIONA Agua. In addition, for new installations these advantages certainly create a fundamental spur to encourage installation,” said Alejandro Zarzuela, Technical and Technology Innovation Director of ACCIONA Agua.

Karl Juncker, Managing Director of WEC Projects, said: “Nereda is cost effective, sustainable, requires a small footprint and is easy to operate. These attributes make it a perfect fit in the South African wastewater treatment market. In order to deliver solutions to our country’s sewage treatment challenges, we need innovation, and Nereda is that innovation. WEC Projects, together with Nereda, is excited to lead the way. Signing this agreement is not only a huge milestone in the life of WEC Projects, but a significant development for South Africa’s wastewater treatment sector.” Royal HaskoningDHV and WEC are currently cooperating in the implementation of Nereda technology at the Hartebeestfontein Wastewater Treatment Works. This will be the third Nereda plant in South Africa, joining existing implementations at Wemmershoek and Gansbaai.

René Noppeney, Royal HaskoningDHV Global Director Water Products & Innovation said: “There is a steady increase in demand Nereda Technology across the globe with 17 new projects over the past three years. These agreements will make a difference to the wastewater markets in South Africa, Spain and Portugal. We are delighted that ACCIONA and WEC are joining the global network of Nereda partners. It is great that both have chosen our innovative Nereda technology. For us this is a major step forward following the successful introduction of our technology in markets such as Australia, Brazil, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and the UK.”

About Nereda
The innovative Nereda technology has proved to be more efficient, sustainable and kinder to the environment, with lower operating and capital costs than conventional methods of wastewater treatment. It is entirely based on natural processes, does not require any chemicals and features aerobic granular biomass with faster settling times than conventional activated sludge systems. Plants are up to four times smaller than traditional installations and consume up to half the energy. Nereda technology was invented by the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and developed in a unique public-private partnership between the University, the Dutch Foundation for Applied Water Research (STOWA), the Dutch Water Boards and Royal HaskoningDHV. Worldwide, there are dozens of plants in operation and under construction.

This is a joint press release by ACCIONA Agua, WEC Projects and Royal HaskoningDHV.

About ACCIONA Agua
ACCIONA Agua is a leader in the water treatment sector with the ability to design, construct and operate drinking water treatment plants, residual purification plants, tertiary treatment plants for re-use and reverse-osmosis desalination plants. ACCIONA Agua is committed to innovation and the application of the latest technologies, together with ensuring water quality in the different areas of activity. The company is part of the group ACCIONA and present in over 30 countries. For more information, visit www.acciona-agua.com

WEC Projects is a specialist contractor in the water and wastewater treatment industry with head offices in Johannesburg, South Africa. WEC Projects possesses enviable process design capabilities which allows us to change people’s lives through the implementation of well-engineered and sustainable water treatment solutions. Our expertise extends to: sewage treatment, biogas to energy solutions, operation and maintenance services and sludge beneficiation projects. WEC Projects was established in 2002. For more information, visit www.wecprojects.co.za

About Royal HaskoningDHV
Royal HaskoningDHV is an independent, international engineering and project management consultancy since 1881 with knowledge and experience in aviation, buildings, energy, industry, infrastructure, maritime, mining, transport, rural and urban areas, and water. With nearly 7,000 colleagues across the world, we work for public and private clients in over 130 countries.

We focus on delivering added value for our clients while at the same time addressing the challenges that societies are facing. These include the growing world population and the consequences for towns and cities; the demand for clean drinking water, water security and water safety; pressures on traffic and transport; resource availability and demand for energy and waste issues facing industry.

By showing leadership in sustainable development and innovation, together with our clients, we are working to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future. For more information, visit www.royalhaskoningdhv.com.