Total water abstraction across all operations
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13
Tons Sugar
produced
1 759 760
1 830 356
1 746 078
Source
Megalitres
consumed
% Ml per ton
of sugar
Megalitres
consumed
% Ml per ton
of sugar
Megalitres
consumed
% Ml per ton
of sugar
Surface
(rivers)
953 455 95.89
0.5418
942 695 99.78
0.5150
866 369
99.67
0.4962
Ground
(borehole)
*39 867
4.01
0.0227
980 0.09
0.0005
1 330
0.15
0.0008
Municipal
1 032
0.10
0.0006
1 248 0.13
0.0007
1 582
0.18
0.0009
Total
994 354
100
0.5651
944 923
100
0.5163
869 281
100
0.4978
*The increase in groundwater supplement used is a result of inadequate water released from the hydropower unit
in the Rufiji river basin in Tanzania.
Total water abstracted per ton of sugar produced has increased in the current reporting period to
994 354 megalitres or 0.565 megalitres per ton of sugar produced (2014: 0.516 megalitres per ton of
sugar produced) predominantly due to the lower than normal rainfall at the various agricultural sites.
Illovo recognises that water is a global resource that requires local management. Ensuring access to a
reliable supply of water is a critical strategic priority for the group to meet both its business needs and
those of the surrounding communities, in a sustainable manner. We operate in the following water basins
which are exposed to varying degrees of water risk that could impact negatively on our businesses, ie:-
Pongola – Mzimkhulu basin in South Africa
Zambezi water basin in Malawi and Zambia
Rufiji water basin in Tanzania
Incomati water basin in Mozambique
Maputo water basin in Swaziland
In 2011, we engaged WSP Environmental and Energy, an international environmental and sustainability
consultancy, to assist us with improved systems for the quantification of our total water consumption, to
assess water-related risks and to develop a strategy guiding water governance, management,
monitoring and reporting. Following a group-wide water foot-printing exercise, these specialists assisted
with developing the group’s water footprint and water management strategies which monitors
consumption, risks, opportunities and strategic management requirements, which are aligned to the
group’s Water Footprint Assessment Manual (2011).
As part of the water management strategy we aim to reduce the loss of sugar production to inadequate
irrigation efficiency to less than 2% of budgeted sugar production. The following are mitigation and
adaptation strategies implemented during the reporting year:
Continuing irrigation upgrades is in progress at irrigated estates, with the more efficient drip
irrigation installed in Swaziland;
Soil water probes were phased in at Ubombo and Nchalo;
Surface irrigation simulation and optimisation programmes were initiated in Tanzania, Zambia,
Malawi and Swaziland to optimise flood irrigation; and
Remote Cane Management system (eLeaf) is being tested in Malawi.
Throughout our operations, our outgrowers benefit from investments in new technology, including
interaction with research groups such as SASRI, in order to manage this risk. In Zambia, where water
scarcity is of particular concern, Illovo has funded the development of water conveyance infrastructure to
service vulnerable outgrowers, thereby helping to ensure sustainable sugar cane supply.
As water availability declines and increases in water demand unfold, we expect increased competition
for this scarce resource. As a means of understanding and managing the risks associated with this
issue, all of our operations are represented within the local catchment forums to assist with monitoring
