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Climate Resilient Future for Megacities in Southern Africa

Climate change and population growth are well-known factors of water stress in urban areas that manifest mainly through changes in the water cycle. Urban challenges of climate change include droughts, floods, melting glaciers, sea-level rise and storms that intensify with rapid urbanization, and have a devastating impact on water quality and economic growth in a water scarce country like South Africa.
Smoke billows from large cooling towers of a power plant against a clear sky, with flat land and trees in the foreground, hinting at the challenges faced by megacities striving for a climate-resilient future.

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Most megacities in the world in the past decade emerged in Asia and Africa (Belhassan, 2021). Carbon emissions from megacities are a major human contribution to climate change that will negatively affect developing communities in southern Africa.

Climate change and population growth are well-known factors of water stress in urban areas that manifest mainly through changes in the water cycle. Urban challenges of climate change include droughts, floods, melting glaciers, sea-level rise and storms that intensify with rapid urbanization, and have a devastating impact on water quality and economic growth in a water scarce country like South Africa.

Climate change will exacerbate water shortages in many parts of southern Africa particularly the water scarce locations in the region. The African continent is faced with the problems of managing the increasing risks and negative environmental impacts of climate change and urbanization. By 2050 it is predicted that 67% of the world population is expected to be living in urban areas (UN 2011), with the most rapid levels of urbanization taking place in developing countries (Zhang 2016).

It is important to design climate resilient systems, for refined implementation, and effective maintenance of water infrastructure. Too many fast-growing African cities are urbanizing before they get industrialized, which creates a problem that will be fatal for future generations.

We specialize in water treatment technology that works for Megacities, with efficient solutions to increase capacity and water quality problems faced by many municipalities managing rapidly growing megacities. Start your climate resilient future today, by letting us design the most optimal solution for your organization.

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Case Study

A revolutionary approach to water supply

To cope with a crippling and prolonged drought crisis, MEB installed a containerized desalination plant at Richards Bay, South Africa. The project was completed in just seven months. The containers were easily transported to the designated location.1

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