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The report evaluates wastewater treatment options for the Hartenbos estuary, finding that while a hybrid solution is most effective at reducing nutrient pollution, an artificial wetland offers the highest net benefits if ecological and tourism gains are included. It also highlights that reusing 50% of treated wastewater for irrigation by 2060 could support 330 additional hectares of agricultural land, enhancing water security and job creation.

The Hartenbos wastewater treatment works (WWTW) in the Western Cape has implemented a hybrid microgrid consisting of solar PV and battery energy storage (BESS) to ensure operational continuity during loadshedding. The system, completed in September 2025 with a cost between R100 million and R112 million, allows the facility to island from the grid, reduce diesel reliance, and export surplus power. The project serves as a model for other municipalities to stabilize critical services and lower energy expenditures through embedded renewable energy.