Simbithi Eco-Estate, a 430 ha residential community in KwaZulu-Natal, has been integrating sustainable water management practices into its everyday operations.

The estate’s forward-thinking water management strategies and solutions offer valuable insights for other estates and developments seeking to enhance their own water resilience.

In a thought leadership piece sent to Engineering News & Mining Weekly, Simbithi Eco-Estate technical manager Nikilesh Misra outlines how the estate adopted a range of practical, effective solutions to mitigate immediate water-related challenges while laying the foundation for long-term resilience to ensure it thrives in a rapidly changing climate.

One impactful measure he highlights is the implementation of smart water metering in 2021, when the estate replaced outdated underground meters with remotely monitored devices.

In addition to enabling residents to track their consumption in real time through an app, the devices provide early leak detection capabilities, as well as the ability to monitor peak-use patterns, thereby optimising water distribution and reducing waste.

“Beyond mere convenience, this initiative has shifted mindsets. When people can see their water use and identify inefficiencies, they become more conscious consumers,” says Misra.

Further, at the Simbithi Country Club, which forms part of the Simbithi Eco-Estate, a stormwater attenuation system has been incorporated at the 8 200 m² sports complex to slow runoff, prevent soil erosion and protect the natural ecosystems.

During significant rainfall events, such as a one-in-50-year storm lasting 15 minutes, the complex can produce a peak discharge of about 464 litres a second, totalling about 420 m³ of stormwater.

This is managed through a 260 m³ attenuation tank constructed under the lap pool that captures and retains excess stormwater, releasing it at a controlled rate of 159 litres a second to mirror predevelopment conditions.

“This system not only mitigates flood risks and safeguards downstream ecosystems, such as our golf course and natural bushlands, but it also repurposes the retained stormwater to support the estate’s water needs, including irrigation for the golf course and replenishing the swimming pool.”

Beyond infrastructure, Mistra further notes that resident-led conservation efforts play a crucial role in building a sustainable water culture.

This includes rainwater harvesting, which has gained momentum as hundreds of homes are collectively storing thousands of kilolitres of water and reducing reliance on municipal supply.

“Regular water quality testing ensures that our estate’s dams meet recreational standards, while broader sustainability initiatives, such as electronic waste collection, recycling and solar energy adoption, support a holistic environmental strategy.”

Responsible water management extends beyond conservation, he continues, explaining that by embedding sustainability into the estate’s planning and its residents’ everyday habits, a future can be shaped where water is available and managed in a way that benefits both people and the environment.

“At Simbithi, we are proving that sustainable water management is not just a possibility but actually a necessity. The question is no longer whether we should act, but how quickly we can implement meaningful change.”

“While no single estate has all the answers, the collective impact of thoughtful interventions can be profound. Now is the time for developers, estate managers and homeowners to take action,” Mistra concludes.