[Image: Freerange Stock]
Beer is basically just water with a personality—about 90% to 95% of it, to be exact. The rest is a cocktail of carbs, proteins, hops, yeast, and whatever else brewers throw in to make it taste like the golden nectar we know and love.
In other words, no water, no beer.
And because nobody wants that, SA Breweries (SAB), the City of Cape Town, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have joined forces in an ambitious effort to reclaim 3.3 billion litres of water, and they’re doing this by taking a chainsaw to invasive vegetation.
Over the weekend, SAB showed off its commitment to fixing the water crisis in the Boland Mountain Nature Reserve. Their game plan was to restore vital water sources, boost ecosystems, and support communities that depend on clean water.
It just so happens that South Africa is one of the world’s most water-stressed countries, with rainfall levels barely scraping 40% of the global average. Add to that a thirstier-than-average population of invasive alien plants, like black wattle, eucalyptus, and pine, gulping down 60% more water than our homegrown vegetation, and it’s clear we’ve got a problem.
That’s where SAB and its partners come in to save the day, hacking away at these water-guzzling culprits, freeing up billions of litres of water in the process. By clearing 1,367 hectares of invasive plants in the Western Cape alone, they’ve successfully returned 3.3 billion litres of water to the ecosystem.
This initiative is bigger than just one company – it’s a citywide strategy to keep the taps running.
“Water is the lifeblood of our city, our economy and our communities.
“It is through collaborative efforts like this, that we can secure a sustainable future for Cape Town’s water supply,” said Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town. “The partnership between us, SAB, WWF and TNC, demonstrates the impact that private and public sector collaboration can have when we combine resources and actively contribute to preserving our natural resources,” added Hill-Lewis.
And let’s not forget that water isn’t just important for human survival – it’s essential for making beer. That’s why SAB isn’t just treating water conservation like a nice-to-have. It’s a business necessity.
Africa’s biggest brewer knows that water conservation is more than goodwill. That’s why they’re doubling down on efficiency, cutting water waste, recycling wastewater, and rolling out tech like H2OK, a smart sensor system installed at the Newlands brewery to slash unnecessary water usage.
But gadgets alone won’t solve this crisis. SAB is also turning to nature-based solutions, restoring ecosystems and pulling up water-hogging invaders to make a real dent in water scarcity.
“By partnering with the City of Cape Town, SAB and WWF, we are scaling up conservation efforts that not only improve water security, but also create economic opportunities for local communities,” said Daniel Shemie, TNC global director of Fresh Water Resources.
“No single organisation alone can reduce water risk at the scale required in water stressed regions like South Africa. This hard work requires a coalition of partners and the collective leadership of both the public and private sectors”
AB InBev’s CEO, Michel Doukeris, weighed in too, noting that water is the number one ingredient in beer.
“As the world’s leading brewer, we are focused on finding solutions to water challenges.
“We strive to enhance water availability, quality and access, where we operate, including in South Africa – one of the world’s most water-scarce countries,” said Doukeris.
Local SAB boss Richard Rivett-Carnac echoed the sentiment, “Water security is fundamental to our business and our communities.
“Through strong partnerships such as these, we are able to drive impactful solutions that replenish vital water sources – creating jobs and ensuring a sustainable future for all.”
SAB has zeroed in on the Upper Riviersonderend sub-catchment, a major water source for the Western Cape that’s been overrun by thirsty alien plants. The goal now is to clear 320 hectares between 2023 and 2025. So far, they’ve already taken down 321 hectares, releasing 163 million litres of water back into circulation, creating 69 jobs, and giving local workers a leg up with skills training.
The bottom line is that water is more than just an ingredient in beer; it’s the key to survival, and so SAB and its partners are making sure South Africans and their favourite brews, stay hydrated for generations to come.
[Source:
