So, where does South Africa rank in the world of package plants? 

Actually, right there on top.  I kid you not.

I have been in water all my life.  Sometimes just swimming, often drowning  -  and on a few occasions, in hot water. So, if my president Cyril feels I need to be boiled, it's too late!  I'm already medium rare.

Twenty-one years ago, when I was looking at a new, better design of wastewater treatment systems, I needed to know a lot more. I visited sites where they had systems, and sewage treatment systems, particularly in the Durban area. I sneaked onto properties, crawled under fences, and climbed over walls.  I waited for security access gates to open, then walked in with a clip board (very official looking). I took samples, took even more notes, and photos - a gazillion of them. And even a few videos. 

I also studied the world standards, for what was achievable, and what were the SA Department of Water Affairs (DWAF) requirements. I compared every country (that i could find) and, South Africa had the highest water quality standards. Yip, SA. I can't explain this, except, perhaps, the previous government had a very high regard for clean water. It was sacred.

The only country that ever came close, was Israel.

Over the years, I have been offered sewage treatment package plants from Europe and Asia, to market here in SA.  Same products worked well in Europe, simply because their water quality standards were so much lower than ours.  Some didn't even have disinfection, (but I can have this included if I really wanted, but, not a normal supply item). Some of these products are now marketed in South Africa, simply because our DWAF does not exist anymore.

And, yes - I was stopped once, at Kearsney College, by a 'professional' water wizard, (code name Tonto) who asked, "Do signs mean nothing to you?". I suggested that if someone / anyone tells me to "KEEP OUT",  they hiding something.

I went back a week later to find out.

And where does Scarab rank in the local industry? -Well,  Umgeni Water tested our sewage system in 2003, along with two other commercial manufacturers.  Only our system achieved compliance, on the original DWAF standards. Easily. And with our very first plant. 

I haven't seen Tonto since, but understand he is now working as a world consultant in Europe, or Asia, or Afghanistan.  His callsign - hippo.

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