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Siemens Cuts Water 85% Using Propelair Toilets Campus

Executive Summary

Siemens integrated Propelair toilets into its Net Zero strategy at its Midrand campus. Installing 112 units across six buildings reduced water consumption by 85%, saving just under 5.5 million litres annually, cutting carbon emissions by over 5.6 tonnes, and significantly improving washroom hygiene performance.

Client Profile

Siemens South Africa is based at Midrand, comprising large commercial office and operational buildings supporting engineering, technology, and administrative functions. With a strong commitment to sustainable development and Net Zero targets, water efficiency is critical to Siemens, reducing operational costs, lowering carbon impact, and ensuring responsible resource use in a water-stressed region.

Challenges / Pain Points

Before the upgrade, Siemens faced high water consumption driven by outdated flush systems across its Midrand campus. Rising utility costs, increasing ESG pressure, and the need to meet Net Zero commitments highlighted inefficiencies in existing toilets. Frequent blockages, maintenance callouts, downtime, and inconsistent hygiene performance further impacted operational efficiency and user experience.

The Propelair Solution

To support its Net Zero and water-efficiency objectives, Siemens installed 112 Propelair toilets across six commercial buildings at its Midrand campus. The installation featured the Propelair air-powered toilet, using just 1.5 litres per flush to deliver up to 85% water savings. Key features include a unique dry flush function, real-time IoT alerts, automatic block detection, and integrated asset tracking via QR codes. These capabilities enable faster maintenance response, reduced downtime, improved hygiene performance, and measurable, reportable water and carbon savings across the estate.

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Metric: Water per flush
Before: Approx. 6–9 litres per flush
After: 1.5 litres per flush
Improvement: Up to 85% reduction per flush
Metric: Annual water use
Before: ~6,420,000 litres per year
After: ~960,000 litres per year
Improvement: 5,460,000 litres saved annually (85%)
Metric: Costs
Before: High and rising water and maintenance costs
After: Significantly reduced utility and maintenance costs
Improvement: Strong ROI driven by water savings and reduced callouts
Metric: Carbon
Before: Higher carbon footprint linked to water treatment and pumping
After: 5,684.24 kg CO₂e per year
Improvement: Measurable annual carbon reduction

Following the installation, Siemens achieved an 85% reduction in toilet water consumption. Annual usage dropped from approximately 6.42 million litres to just under 1 million litres, resulting in 5,460,000 litres of water saved every year. This dramatic reduction delivers immediate, measurable water efficiency across the Midrand campus.

While exact Rand values were not publicly disclosed, Siemens achieved substantial annual cost savings directly aligned to an 85% reduction in water consumption. The project delivered a strong ROI, with a typical commercial payback period driven by utility savings and reduced operational expenditure.

The Propelair installation delivered a measurable environmental benefit for Siemens, saving 5,460,000 litres of water annually and reducing carbon emissions by 5,684.24 kg per year. These outcomes directly support Siemens’ Net Zero and sustainability objectives, strengthen ESG reporting, and demonstrate practical action toward responsible resource management in a water-stressed region.

Faster maintenance response through asset tracking
Reduced downtime and fewer emergency plumbing callouts
Improved hygiene with up to 95% reduction in airborne germs and 99.9% reduction in waterborne contaminants
Enhanced user experience with reliable, one-flush waste removal
Reduced washroom odours through ‘close-to-flush’ technology
Retrofittable technology enabling upgrades without major infrastructure changes
Asset tracking via QR codes for improved facilities management and reporting