Redefine Properties uses Propelair toilets to save water.
Supplied by Propelair
Redefine Properties partnered with Propelair again, to trial the innovative OneThreeFive IoT connected toilet in one of their busiest and highest traffic locations, Sammy Marks Square Shopping Mall, located in the heart of Pretoria, South Africa. The initiative is responsible for saving almost 3.4million litres of water in a single year.
Over the course of a year, they installed 1,400 Propelair toilets with a 1.5-litre flush capacity, resulting in an annual cost saving of nearly R2.4 million. They installed the first nine Propelair OneThreeFive toilets on 9 September 2023 at Sammy Marks Square. Each cubicle managed up to 135 flushes daily, averaging 50,000 flushes per toilet annually, with some toilets reaching nearly 99,000 flushes over the year.
With such high flush numbers, Redefine Properties would have used nearly 4 million litres of water—the equivalent of 2 million 2-litre milk jugs. They conserved 3.4 million of that 4 million litres, using only 600,000 litres during the one-year trial.
On 9 September 2024, exactly a year later, the UK Innovation team returned to Sammy Marks Square to retrofit the latest IoT technology and remove the trial units for further testing. The results confirmed that all components withstood the high-demand environment, showing no signs of wear. The motor’s airflow and other parts tested perfectly, indicating a strong lifespan and guaranteed reduced maintenance costs.
Tom Bonner, Propelair’s Global New Product Development Lead, stated, “Not a single part failed. Our in-house lab and quality tests were validated, proving the reliability of our product in even the toughest environments.” The IoT upgrade not only subjects a new technology to this challenging environment but also empowers Redefine Properties with real-time monitoring of water usage and detailed statistical data. This data enables them to streamline maintenance by identifying precise problem locations, deploying staff with the right tools, and addressing issues promptly without the need for troubleshooting. Additionally, this aligns with their positive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
