Given the extent of water risks in the Western cape (Berg-Olifants WMA) which is projected to be one of the most “at risk” provinces now and in the future, and the number of strategic buildings located here (head office administration buildings as well as one of three Distribution centres), we have detailed mitigation strategy in place, including the following: installation of uninterrupted water supply tanks in stores accounting for 66% of gross profit in the catchment (short term supply) at a cost of approx. R2m, Water supply agreement with logistics partner in the event that water supply is cut off on longer term basis, at a cost of approximately R2.4m since 2007, upscaling rainwater harvesting systems, a total of 15 stores have been fitted with rainwater tanks in this area and we have recently installed 15kl capacity at our Financial Services head office, development of a formalised cleaning procedure for stores to maintain sanitation ad cleaning in stores, minimising use of potable water, reviewing opportunities to tap into groundwater at the distribution centre, and expanding head office 1.4 ML groundwater treatment plant capacity, replacing water cooled refrigeration at DC with air-cooled system, water recycling at equipment washing station to be implemented. In the longer term, we are also exploring the use of context based water targets as a business.

Project Results