Simbithi Eco-Estate built an attenuation tank under a lap pool to manage stormwater runoff during rainfall. Picture: Supplied
Image: Supplied
As climate change intensifies and water scarcity looms large across South Africa, one KwaZulu-Natal estate has adopted a bold water management strategy starting with a lap pool that also has a stormwater tank under it.
Nikilesh Misra, Technical Manager at Simbithi Eco-Estate, on the North Coast said: "Water security is no longer a future concern. It’s a current problem. We’ve designed systems that work with the environment rather than against it and it’s paying off."
One of Simbithi’s most innovative solutions lies beneath its 25m lap pool, part of its newly opened multi-disciplinary Sports Complex. “We built a 260m³ attenuation tank under the pool to manage stormwater runoff during heavy rainfall,” Misra explained.
“It releases water at a controlled rate to mirror pre-development conditions. This protects our golf course, bushland, and dams, and allows us to reuse the captured water for irrigation and pool refilling.”
The estate has also embraced tech-driven water conservation, rolling out smart water meters in 2021. “Residents can monitor their usage in real time through an app. It’s not just about saving money it’s about changing behaviour. And it’s working. People are now more aware of how they use water.”
Rainwater harvesting has also become commonplace, with hundreds of homes collectively storing thousands of kilolitres.
Water quality is regularly tested to ensure dams are safe for recreation, while wider sustainability initiatives like recycling, solar energy, and e-waste collection, complement the estate’s eco-conscious ethos.
“Sustainable water management isn’t just about conservation. It’s about creating communities that are future-ready and resilient," said Misra.
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