Challenge

At Zoetwater, a significant volume of seepage water was being lost daily. This water had previously been pumped and paid for.

To compensate, additional water had to be drawn from the river, driving up energy costs and placing further pressure on the operation. This also reduced their available irrigation capacity, which was already constrained by water rights.

Without clear visibility into system performance, identifying the source of these losses was difficult. The result was an operation effectively paying twice for the same water

Solution

To address the challenge of seepage water loss, HolmStone implemented a solar-powered Variable Speed Drive (VSD) pumping system linked to a catchment dam. The system captures water that would otherwise be lost and returns it to the main dam.

By harnessing solar energy to power the pumps, the system significantly reduces dependence on the main pumping station, lowering operational costs. VSD technology ensures the pumps operate at optimal efficiency at all times, improving overall water and energy utilisation across the site.

Result

The system delivered immediate and measurable value, reducing energy consumption, recovering water that was previously lost, and generating significant cost savings. This enabled the client to plant more hectares because he was not limited by water rights.

This project is a practical example of Energy Simple and Transparent.