KSB unveils locally designed sump pump to address South Africa’s sewage infrastructure crisis
South Africa’s sewage infrastructure is collapsing under pressure. Aging treatment facilities, increasing sewage volumes, and lack of maintenance are creating a perfect storm of pump failures, blockages, and spills into the environment. Against this backdrop, KSB Pumps and Valves has launched the ELN-150 Imvubu, a self-priming wastewater pump designed, tested and manufactured entirely in South Africa, to address specific challenges plaguing municipalities and industrial operators across Africa.
Built on decades of local expertise
KSB South Africa began manufacturing self-priming pumps in 2005 and has developed a product range specifically suited to the conditions of Southern Africa. The company’s local production includes the ELB, ELK and ELS series for gray and black water systems containing 50 to 75 mm screened solids. These pumps have become a reliable choice in dewatering, sludge transfer, and screening wastewater applications.
However, KSB has identified a significant market need for a solution that can handle untreated raw sewage containing solids larger than 76 mm, one of the most challenging environments for pump design.
“We listened to the market, and our customers told us exactly where their problems were: pump blockages, difficult seal replacements, thin casings that wore out quickly, and a design that simply couldn’t withstand raw, unfiltered sewage,” said Hugo du Plessis, product manager for wastewater at KSB Pumps and Valves.
Engineering tailored to African conditions
Named after the Zulu word for hippoWell, Imvubu has a double meaning. Its distinctive upper-mounted lifting “ears” mimic a hippo’s profile underwater, and its massive free-passing ability reflects the animal’s ability to handle oversized materials.
Developed using advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, Imvubu provides measurable performance benefits.
Hydraulic efficiency of over 65% – significantly superior to competitive self-priming pumps
77.3mm Free Pass Solids Processing – Exceeds the World Raw Sewage Benchmark of 76mm
Permanent bearings without oil lubrication – using grease-for-life bearings and KSB’s unique mechanical seals
“Free passes are our hallmark. The more the pump can pass through larger solids, the fewer blockages there will be. Fewer blockages mean fewer callouts, less downtime, and lower costs,” explains du Plessis.
Practical design suitable for practical maintenance
Imvubu addresses the realities of South Africa’s strained infrastructure through thoughtful engineering. Highly durable volute walls resist erosion and extend their service life. An inspection hatch allows staff to remove blockages without removing the suction cover. This is a huge advantage for municipal maintenance teams working with limited resources.
Unlike competitive pumps that require oil chambers and contamination-prone refill checks, Imvubu’s Grease for Life bearings create an environmentally clean and safe maintenance profile. Speed adjustment requires a simple pulley change, and the pump accommodates both head and flow from low to high water levels, effectively performing the work of two pumps. It can also be attached to diesel skids for remote pumping and flood emergencies.
“We built this pump for Africa, which is why we made it easy to maintain it using basic tools,” says du Plessis.
The pump has completed extended testing at the Drakenstein wastewater treatment plant in the Western Cape and has continued to operate with excellent results. Applications extend beyond municipal wastewater to mine sump, industrial wastewater, pulp and paper operations, agricultural waste dams, and portable dewatering units.
Local manufacturing as a strategic advantage
Darren Ward, KSB’s Western Cape branch manager, emphasizes the importance of local production in a market where many competitors are reducing South Africa’s presence.
“Many of our competitors have moved to an import-only model. KSB has taken the opposite path. We have invested in South African manufacturing expertise and national support through the SupremeServ service network. Our customers receive lifetime support from people who understand their local wastewater issues,” Ward explains.
The SupremeServ network provides field service, maintenance and pump repair through local branches and certified technicians, and the SupremeServ Academy provides training for customers and operators.
As Imvubu is 100% locally manufactured, it is in line with the Department of Trade and Industry’s localization incentives, supporting South African industry and jobs, and positioning KSB as a contributor to the export of high-value processed products across sub-Saharan Africa.
Timely solutions for critical infrastructure
Du Plessis points out that the South African self-priming pump market remains largely dominated by imported brands, presenting significant growth opportunities.
“This is a pump that we are proud to build in South Africa. It keeps our people employed and means we can compete with and lead international brands. We will leapfrog, not follow.”
“Our Imvubu pump is a direct answer to many of the failures that make headlines nationally. Local governments and utilities urgently need equipment that can continue to operate with minimal attention to clear backlogs. KSB Imvubu is the answer.”
