CASE STUDY: Ulmo Water

Ulmo Water Pty Ltd is a Cape Town-based EPC Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contractor specialising in decentralised water and wastewater treatment solutions. The company designs and manufactures compact, modular treatment plants tailored to a variety of municipal and industrial environments, with an emphasis on high-quality, cost-effective systems focused on long-term durability and low maintenance.

The electrical fit-out phase, including the installation of wiring, power distribution, and control system integration, and the factory acceptance testing FAT phases commenced concurrently. During the reporting period, the project experienced no major deviations from the planned timeline. By the end of the financial period, the project was firmly on track, progressing towards full validation and deployment.

“AISI’s support has been a game-changer for Ulmo Water, enabling us to develop our own Dissolved Air Flotation DAF system. The successful completion of this project has reduced our reliance on imported technologies, built local expertise through skills development of our team and collaborators, and strengthened our competitive position in South Africa’s market.” Bongani Chichava, Manufacturing Engineer.

Its turnkey design-build services support treatment capacities of up to 5 megalitres per day MLD, offering technical solutions such as clarification, media filtration, desalination for brackish water, and advanced biological modules including Membrane Bioreactors MBR, Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors MBBR, and Dissolved Air Flotation DAF.

The company is supported by a small multidisciplinary team of professionals registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa ECSA, including engineers, draftsmen, and production specialists. A notable example of their work is the installation of bioreactor plants treating 300 kL per day of wastewater in the Paarl–Franschhoek Valley for eco estate developments. With a proven track record across South Africa, Ulmo Water is positioning itself as a trusted innovator in sustainable and decentralised water treatment infrastructure.

The development of the modular Dissolved Air Flotation DAF system for integration with the wastewater treatment plant WWTP of a poultry farm based in North West has advanced significantly, with key milestones in fabrication, procurement, and assembly successfully completed.

AISI-funded project progress was achieved across all work packages, including the successful procurement of several critical components. Fabrication of the DAF tank, including sandblasting, coating, and mechanical fit-out, has been finalised. The control panel was fully assembled with human-machine interface HMI, switchgear, motor starters, and PLC integration, while the stainless steel pipework design and installation were also successfully completed.