Setting Water Targets |

Setting Water Targets

The information presented below applies to South African operations only.

Our Latest Targets

Voluntary water targets were first introduced in 2011 to publicly demonstrate Sasol’s commitment to responsible water stewardship. The initial targets focused primarily on tracking performance related to water-use efficiency. Over time, this approach has evolved into a more holistic framework, incorporating a broader set of objectives and commitments, including Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives, reduction of operational water losses and community support through partnerships.

Recognising that each site operates within a unique context, Sasol has adopted context-based water targets (CBWTs) to ensure that our approach reflects the specific risks, opportunities, and catchment conditions in each location. This tailored approach moves beyond a one-size-fits-all model—aligning each site’s water targets and actions with its operational design, level of maturity, and local water context—to ensure that our efforts are both effective and meaningful where it matters most.

In 2022, Sasol published these expanded site-specific water targets as part of our Sustainability Report for operations located in water-stressed areas within the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS). These short-term targets covered the period FY22-FY25.

Building on this foundation, Sasol has now finalised a new set of water targets for the period FY26–FY30. These targets reflect evolving operational realities, changing catchment conditions, and broader water stewardship priorities. These will be reviewed periodically to ensure continued relevance and responsiveness to hydrological, regulatory, and business developments
 

 ThemeTarget
Secunda OperationsWater use and efficiencyMaintain water intensity (receiving feedwater < 300 uS/cm) at the baseline of 11.3 m3 of water per ton of Secunda Operations’ total production until June 2030.
Water use and efficiencyRecycled Water Offset Percentage of greater than 12% at a receiving raw water quality < 300 µS/cm.

This target, introduced in FY26, measures the water recycling and reuse ratio. It reflects the proportion of fresh raw water intake replaced by treated process effluents that have been upgraded to raw water quality or higher. The metric indicates how effectively a facility reduces its dependence on fresh water sources through the use of recycled water.
Sanitation and HygieneAchieve Green Drop certification
Address water losses within operational controlActively maintain a water loss reduction strategy to address unaccounted-for water losses
Advance water initiatives that yield community benefitsCommitted to continue involvement in local communities to respond to water, sanitation and related priorities.
Sasolburg and Natref OperationsWater use and efficiencyLimit water use to an average daily usage of 54Ml/day.
Sanitation and HygieneAchieve Green Drop certification
Address water losses within operational controlReduce water losses by addressing water leaks timeously.
Advance water initiatives that yield community benefitsCommitted to continue involvement in local communities to respond to water, sanitation and related priorities.
MiningWater use and efficiencyPotable water use increase capped at below 15% from a 2024 baseline until June 2030.

Performance with our 2022 - 2025 Targets

Secunda Operations

At Secunda Operations, our target up to FY25 was to maintain the water intensity at the FY16 baseline of 11,3 cubic meter water used per ton of saleable product (m3/t), based on a condition that the receiving feedwater conductivity remains below 300 uS/cm. The performance for the period FY22 – FY25 is presented in the table. The average water intensity over the period exceeded the target by 0.3 m3/t.

One of the target conditions was that feedwater quality from the catchment should remain below 300 µS/cm. During 2023 the feedwater quality showed lower average conductivity values, combined with good production performance in the second half of the year, this resulted in operations performing below the target. During the 2024–2025 period, elevated conductivity levels were intermittently recorded, contributing to increased water use. Conductivity in supply water typically follows a cyclical pattern, decreasing during rainfall periods; however, during the 2024 cycle, this reduction was less pronounced, resulting in a higher overall average conductivity. 

In addition, variations in coal quality and operational stability influenced annual water intensity through increased steam and energy demands, highlighting the dynamic factors that impact water performance at Secunda Operations.

Financial yearAnnual average (m3/t)
202310,61
202411,72
202512,46
Overall average11,60
  

In response to the deterioration in feed water quality from the Grootdraai Dam, Sasol initiated a collaborative study with the Department of Water and Sanitation, Rand Water, Eskom, the Water Research Commission (WRC), and Rhodes University in 2022. Sasol’s Secunda Operations was one of the major funding contributors, to develop a catchment-scale water quality model and enhance understanding of land use and climate change impacts on water quality. 

The completed Grootdraai Dam Water Quality Study established a framework for water management practices within the catchment, strengthening long-term water resilience for both industry and surrounding communities, supporting our commitment to made to support multistakeholder catchment assessments to address water security risks. 

To continue accounting for variability in feedwater and process conditions while supporting sustainable operations in a water-stressed catchment, the existing target will remain unchanged and is considered feasible going forward.
 

Sasolburg Operations

Sasolburg Operations previously set targets for both raw water and potable water use, with performance for FY22–FY25 shown in the table below.

Progress toward the raw water target was influenced by several operational challenges, including a reduction in the availability of recycled water due to lower municipal inflows to the Sasol wastewater treatment works. In addition, final effluent recycling to the fire-water system was challenged following equipment reliability issues.

Considering capital constraints and operational realities, a revised target of 54 ML/day of freshwater use was set. This new target also accounts for potential deterioration in river water quality.

TargetFY23FY24FY25
A 7,5% reduction in fresh-water usage for production on the Sasolburg sites by end of 2025 as measured against a FY21 baseline. This physically equates to a reduction in water use of 4ML/day or to operate within a maximum water consumption of 50ML/day as measured against a FY21 baseline.52,255,451,3
To continue pursuing the existing potable water target for the Sasolburg sites of an average use of 150 ML /month (approx. 5 ML/day) over a financial year by end of 2025.199171170
    

Potable water use was impacted by raw-water abstraction infrastructure constraint over the last three years, including flooding and maintenance at the Vaal Pump Station in 2023 and the partial replacement of the Zuikerbosch line, which temporarily required the increased use of potable water in production.

The previous potable water target has now been integrated into the broader net water use target, providing a more holistic view of overall site performance. While potable water efficiency remains an important operational consideration, it is now managed as part of Sasolburg’s wider water-use efficiency and sustainability approach.
 

Mining

Mining established a target to limit potable water use increases to no more than 15% above the FY19 baseline of 1,520 ML by FY25. In FY25, usage reached 1,629 ML, remaining within the set target. Mining will continue to prioritise water reuse and maintain increases below the 15% threshold up to 2030.
 

As part of Sasol’s commitment to supporting thriving communities, we set a target to strengthen our social investment portfolio by actively including water and sanitation projects. Over the past three years, this focus has guided our efforts to enhance access to safe water and improved sanitation in communities surrounding our operations — helping build resilience and support well-being in local communities.

Over the past few years, we:

  • Supplied water tanks to schools and communities to improve access to clean, drinkable water.
  • Supported municipal infrastructure projects, including upgrades to water supply pipelines, sewer networks, and wastewater treatment works. Some of the initiatives included:
    • Invested R25 million in the Leandra Sewer project;
    • Invested R52 million in the Charl Cilliers Water Supply pipeline;
    • Invested R58 million in the Greylingstad Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) and reticulation network;
    • Restored and handed over pump stations to municipalities to ensure the continued functionality of vital community infrastructure.
  • Provided emergency water relief during periods of community water outages by supplying bottled water, installing tanks, and repairing critical infrastructure to restore water supply.
  • Installed boreholes at clinics and community sites to strengthen water availability and resilience during supply interruptions.

These initiatives demonstrated Sasol’s commitment to advancing water security, public health, and sustainable community development in partnership with local stakeholders.

We will continue to prioritise water-related projects as part of our social investment initiatives, supporting communities and strengthening sustainable development through ongoing collaborations.
 

Sasol has continued to strengthen water efficiency across its operations by focusing on leak detection, infrastructure upgrades, and proactive loss prevention measures. These efforts support our broader commitment to responsible water stewardship and sustainable operations.

Secunda Operations

A system for monitoring unaccounted potable water losses was maintained and tracked. During the reporting period, between FY23 to FY25 a significant leak in the reticulation network was identified and repaired, preventing an estimated R4,2 million in water losses and safeguarding valuable resources.

Sasolburg Operations

At Sasolburg, where we manage water supply infrastructure sourced from the Vaal River, a section of the Zuikerbosch raw water supply line was replaced. This upgrade led to a substantial reduction in water losses, improving both efficiency and reliability of supply.

Sewage originating from the towns of Secunda and Sasolburg, along with effluent generated from our operational sites, is treated at the Sasol-operated Sewage Treatment Works (STW) located within each of these areas. Demonstrating our commitment to responsible wastewater management, Sasol strives to achieve Green Drop certification — a national incentive-based programme introduced by the Department of Water and Sanitation in 2008 to assess and compare the performance of wastewater treatment systems across the country.

In the 2022 Green Drop assessment, Sasolburg Operations received two awards from the Department of Water and Sanitation: Best Performing Private Sector System and Best Progress Made by a Private Sector System. The site’s performance rating improved from 86% in 2013 to 96% in 2022, earning it recognition as the only private institution to achieve Green Drop certification that year, and ranking among the top-performing wastewater systems nationally.

Secunda Operations also achieved commendable results, though slightly below the 90% threshold required for certification. The site continues to work towards meeting Green Drop standards and has included these targets in its operational plans.

A Green Drop assessment was conducted at our sites in 2025 and the report, once released, will provide updated performance outcomes for both sites.