Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa Real Estate Investor Magazine March 2018 | Page 44

RETAIL
Water Wars
Effect of drought on retail
BY MONIQUE DU TOIT
C
onsumers are not the only ones who have to tighten
taps in Cape Town. As South Africa’s Mother City ap-
proaches dreaded Day Zero which has been estimated
to occur in July 2018, retailers and shopping centres too, have
to rethink their strategies to ensure survival.
SACSC CEO, Amanda Stops, explains that retailers have
come on board regarding water saving measures: “From the
many initiatives detailed, one can see that this is a priority for
the shopping centre industry, a situation that has been taken
very seriously. The industry is committed to collaborating with
all stakeholders and finding solutions in order to continue to
provide safe, comfortable shopping environments.”
It’s important to be proactive when it comes to water secu-
rity, especially in the retail sector. The SACSC highlights three
key sectors that will be affected:
• Building safety: All major shopping centres are sprinkler
protected. The reduction in water pressure results in inade-
quate pressure for sprinklers to operate.
• Food preparation: Restaurants and supermarkets need wa-
ter to trade. Water supply interruptions impact on their
business and also poses a health risk insofar that necessary
cleaning cannot be done.
• Ablutions: Toilets need to be flushed. The inability to do so
poses as another health hazard to businesses, staff, tenants
and customers.
With this in mind, what can commercial property owners
do to prepare?
Stephan le Roux, director of Growthpoint Properties
which owns and operates the V&A Waterfront explains:
“Over and above the extensive water-saving initiatives al-
ready deployed, the V&A will be constructing their own
dedicated desalination plant. Whilst this will not be in time
for the current projected D-day, it will ensure future water
security.”
Camilla Lor, Marketing Executive for Canal Walk, part
of the HYPROP Investments Limited stable, says that
HYPROP has implemented strict water saving measures
in all its shopping centres: “This includes limiting the use
of water deployed inside the centres and external amenities.
To remain top of mind and to reinforce the change in at-
titude that is required from everyone - shoppers, retailers,
visitors, staff etc – all centres have engaged in regular com-
munications to tenants, including suggestions for easily im-
plementable water saving tactics, as well as highlighting the
successes the centres achieve on an ongoing basis.”
SOURCES
SACSC, Cushman & Wakefield Excellerate
TOP WAYS TO SAVE WATER IN THE COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL SECTOR
Marna van der Walt, CEO of Excellerate Property
Services, outlines steps to take to limit your water
footprint.
1. Perform daily water checks: Inspecting the
water meter allows you to gauge current water
consumption and compare this to established
patterns.
2. Limit leaks: Installing an alarm on water systems
creates an alert when water is flowing, allowing
you to stop it sooner rather than later.
3. Aerators: Water use can also be reduced and
regulated by installing aerators on all bathroom
and kitchen taps.
4. Features: Getting rid of or replacing water foun-
tains or living walls
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MARCH 2018 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine
5. Windows: Instead of washing all windows, it’s a
good idea to only clean internal windows that are
i customer-facing areas. Even then, use minimal
water.
6. Mopping bathroom floors, instead of scrubbing, is
a great water saving technique.
7. Tanks: Along with rain water, water tanks can also
be used to collect recycled water from air-condi-
tioners.
8. Plants: consider replacing the gardens within your
premises with indigenous water wise plants that
require less irrigation.
9. Treated effluent: This is ideal for water gardens
10. Bathrooms: Install waterless urinals. Replace soap
with waterless sanitiser or wipes