
In 2010, during the FIFA World Cup hosted in South Africa, visiting engineers from the Netherlands identified the growing problem of water scarcity and worked towards an innovative way of addressing the problem. In the spirit of the great sport of football, a new system, GreenSource Sports for Water was born.
Water pollution is a major global problem but can be described as acute in developing countries such as South Africa. At least 11 out of 19 water management areas in South Africa have water supply problems and a minimum of 14 million South Africans do not have access to safe drinking water. If we continue at our current rate of water consumption, we could run out of water before 2040.
Although water is not renewable, it is reusable. Water can be cleaned and purified over and over. However, due to the high level and extent of contamination, the problem has escalated so badly that more innovative approaches are needed.
The GreenSource Sports for Water system includes an artificial 5-a-side football field combined with a water filtration system using ultra-filtration membrane technology to purify water. The design allows the football field to harvest rainwater, use groundwater and treat and reuse water for drinking, irrigation and turf maintenance
So far, 15 GreenSource Sports for Water systems have been installed across South Africa.
9 Comments
Nico
Sterkte met hierdie projek!
Jacques
Baie dankie Nico!
Erna
Very nice! Worthwhile project!
Jacques
Thank you very much Erna! 🙂
Cornelis Alant
Awesome project!
Jacques
Agreed! Thanks Corne!
Matika khathutshelo
What can we do as rural area farmers to develop our area whith green village.
Jacques
Hi Matikakhathutshelo!
Kindly send me an email at jacques@greenvillage.org.za with more information (location, type of farming, challenges, etc) and I will get back to you! 🙂
Corne
This project is making a difference at so many levels. Not only does it provide communities with clean drinking water, but it also grant underserved schools with world class sports facilities and related programmes.