Page 15 - Waterfall_Issue 7_2022

T his article marks the fourth FROM THE GROUND UP “Everything that is planned within

Waterfall is focused on using as much
in our series of articles where
At a fundamental level, Waterfall has
alternative energy as possible. This also
we delve deeper into the
adopted a strong environmentally-
underlying infrastructure of
the broader Waterfall development. conscious approach to planning and includes installing smart water and
electricity meters to optimally manage
development when it comes to energy.
Here, the spotlight turns to everything Given the greenfield nature of the the environment. New developments
energy-related and how, together development and how almost every incorporate aspects like LED lights,
with our partners, our eco-friendly building on Waterfall is, in effect, a double glazing, and insulation on
planning has identified ways in which new-build, it was an ideal opportunity ceilings and under floors, to improve
the development can reduce carbon to implement and encourage passive energy consumption,” Vos adds.
emissions across the residential climatic design principles and
and commercial ecosystem. introduce green innovation rather than TAKING CONTROL
trying to retrofit existing buildings later. In conjunction with Attacq, Waterfall’s
Given global concerns around the commercial developer, the Waterfall
lasting damage fossil fuels are causing Many of the homes within Waterfall Management Company is also looking
to the planet, it has been imperative for are thermally efficient, where lessees at the possibility of buying its grid
Waterfall to think creatively and leverage were encouraged to build using solar back from Eskom to start generating
more sustainable resources as it moves geysers and panels, energy-efficient its own electricity. While it is still
towards a net-zero carbon footprint. lighting, and low energy consumption early days, given the complexities
fittings and appliances. Such homes around the regulatory environment,
Willie Vos, CEO of the Waterfall are proven to promote both energy- everything done within Waterfall
Management Company, says it is and water-efficient usage, are more concerning energy is approached
important to use relevant technology comfortable to live in, have long-term with this prospect in mind.
to analyse how the development uses cost benefits and much higher resale
its energy infrastructure, and how to values. Developments such as Waterfall “Our intention is to use as little energy
harness solar potential more effectively. Country Estate, Waterfall Country Village from the traditional grid as possible.
Estate, Waterfall Valley and The Polofields Already, many of our billboards
“The sun is a free energy source, also use piped LP gas as a highly effective and most of our CCTV cameras are
but to benefit from it requires an alternative to traditional electricity. powered by solar. Furthermore,
integrated approach. Whether it is the we have begun the process of
passive climatic design of homes and A sustainable approach provides the changing the traffic lights within the
buildings to maximise natural light golden thread across all residential development to solar,” says Vos.
and conserve energy, or using gas developments within Waterfall.
to provide an additional advantage, The intention is to keep the carbon Even so, Waterfall has been in the
our specialists have considered a footprint small, air pollution low, fortunate position to have worked
plethora of options,” says Vos. and energy efficiency high. closely with Eskom since inception

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