Cape Flats Managed Aquifer Recharge Plant

We have supplied the lighting solution for the Cape Flats Managed Aquifer Recharge plant in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Cape Flats Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) plant is a pioneering response to Cape Town's water crisis, offering a sustainable solution to safeguard the city's future water supply. Situated within the False Bay Nature Reserve in Pelican Park, this facility addresses the need for sustainable water management by purifying treated effluent to potable standards and recharging the Cape Flats Aquifer. The site, a flat sandy expanse bordered by dunes, endures strong prevailing southeasterly winds and corrosive coastal conditions, all of which informed the design approach. (Source: https://www.archdaily.com/1025978/aquifer-recharge-plant-salt-architects)

We are proud to have supplied the interior lighting for the four linear filtration buildings, as well as the exterior area lighting with South-African designed and manufactured lighting products.

Linear Filtration Buildings

Central to the project is the innovative civil engineering process of recharging the Cape Flats Aquifer with purified effluent. Four filtration buildings, set along an artificial slope, use gravity to guide water from the highest point to the lowest, where it is returned to the aquifer at potable quality.

BEKA VAPOURLINE linear industrial luminaires illuminate the passageways. Designed to provide a long-term solution for harsh industrial environments, the BEKA VAPOURLINE has a strong mechanical design that makes it highly resistant to shock and vibration while its IP rating makes it ideal for dusty and wet locations. This high-performing luminaire provides an energy-efficient lighting solution. With a lifetime five times longer than a fluorescent tube, this modern linear LED luminaire lowers the total cost of ownership of a lighting installation and eliminates the need for maintenance.

ECOBAY SP highbay luminaires illuminate the main areas within the linear filtration buildings. The ECOBAY is a high-performance luminaire designed for industrial environments, ideal for both lowbay and highbay applications. With round or square PCB options and an optional skirt, it suits a variety of settings. Offering energy efficiency, reliable operation in high ambient temperatures, and low maintenance, the ECOBAY ensures long-term value. Available in various lumen packages and light distributions, it enhances visual comfort while reducing energy costs and initial investment.
 

Exterior Area Lighting

LEDLUME 1 LED streetlights, mounted on 9m glass fibre reinforced polyester (GRP) poles, have been installed along the roads on the premises. The LEDLUME range offers optimised photometrical performance with a minimum total cost of ownership. It provides customers with the ideal tool to generate energy savings, improve lighting levels and reduce maintenance costs. The great variety of high-performance optics optimises the photometric distribution for each specific application to achieve minimum energy consumption.

The BEKAPOLE, our locally manufactured GRP pole range, has virtually unlimited applications. It can be manufactured to any requirement relating to the number and configuration of luminaires to be mounted, inclusive of any special colour. Furthermore, the low mass of the GRP poles saves handling, transport and erection costs during installation. Further advantages include:

• Non-Corrosive: No above- or below-ground corrosion in salt climates or acid soil.
• Maintenance-Free: No corrosion or decay ensures that the surface coat of the pole will not require maintenance.
• Longevity: Over time, our fibre glass poles will outlast wood, concrete, steel and aluminium under similar climatic conditions.
• Vandal Resistant: High impact strength of polyester gel coat and glass filament wound structure and material offering no scrap value, therefore very low risk of theft.
• Non-Conductive: Perfect electrical insulation prevents accidental electrocution by faulty wiring.
• Low Inertia: A reduction in personal injury and damage to vehicles in road accidents.
• Sustainable: The manufacturing process for glass fibre poles is much kinder to the environment than metal or concrete products.

As a flagship project for the City of Cape Town, the MAR plant represents more than just a technical milestone - it reflects the city's dedication to innovation and sustainable development.

About Us

We remain committed to supporting local innovation by offering reliable, energy-efficient lighting solutions tailored to South African conditions.

We are very proud to be associated with SALT Architects, Cyntech and Harris Electrical in providing a sustainable lighting solution for this project.