About WATEN Companies
WATEN Companies is a specialist business platform focused on water and wastewater process engineering, technical knowledge services, and circular economy-driven value creation. Founded on deep sector experience, the group brings together technical consulting, technical communication, training, and knowledge-led services to help clients address water and wastewater demand and management challenges with greater clarity, credibility, and long-term impact.
Founded by Karabo Nthethe, PrEng, WATEN is built on more than two decades of experience in wastewater treatment infrastructure planning, process engineering, project leadership, and innovation
Built Around Specialist Engineering, Knowledge Sharing, and Sustainable Impact
WATEN Companies brings together specialist technical expertise and knowledge-based services at the intersection of water, wastewater, sustainability, and the circular economy. Established on the strength of practical industry experience, the group was created to convert deep technical knowledge into focused services and products that support better engineering outcomes, stronger communication, and long-term sector value.
Our work is guided by a practical view of wastewater management, in which it should not be approached solely as a compliance obligation but also as an opportunity to improve performance, strengthen environmental stewardship, enable reuse, and unlock resource recovery potential. That philosophy continues to shape how we support clients through engineering, technical content, training, and digital knowledge resources.
WATEN Companies was founded by Karabo Nthethe, a Professional Engineer, PrEng (Chemical), whose career spans more than twenty years in water and wastewater treatment infrastructure planning, process engineering, project leadership, and innovation.
Before founding WATEN, he held senior leadership roles at ERWAT, including Senior Process Engineer, Senior Engineering Manager, Divisional Head of Process Engineering & Environmental Services, and Interim Head of Department for Infrastructure Planning & Projects. In these roles, he worked across civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, process, and environmental disciplines, contributing to wastewater treatment planning, upgrading, and long-term strategic development.
WATEN was established as a focused platform through which this depth of experience could be translated into specialist services, industry knowledge support, and practical solutions for a wider range of clients in the water and wastewater sector.
WATEN Consulting Companies
WATEN Companies comprises two complementary specialist businesses, each serving a distinct but connected role in the market.
WATEN Process Engineering (Pty)
Specialist engineering and technical consulting for wastewater treatment, infrastructure planning, process improvement, sustainability, and circular economy opportunities.
WATEN Process Engineering is the engineering and technical consulting company within the group. It provides specialist support in wastewater treatment and management, infrastructure planning, process engineering, sustainability strategy, and circular economy opportunities. Its purpose is to help clients achieve more sustainable, efficient, and fit-for-purpose engineering outcomes.
The business is positioned to support industries, institutions, and project stakeholders through technical services such as effluent assessments, treatment process design, regulatory support, and resource recovery strategy development. It is built to address both immediate wastewater management needs and longer-term opportunities linked to reuse, performance improvement, and sustainability.
WATEN – Water and Energy Technical Writing Services (Pty)
Industry Subject Matter Expert led technical writing, thought leadership content, and knowledge communication for manufacturers, suppliers, and technical businesses in the water and wastewater sector.
WATEN – Water and Energy Technical Writing Services is the group’s specialist technical communication and content business. It was established to support manufacturers, suppliers, and technical businesses in the water and wastewater sector through expert-led content writing, technical communication, and content strategy.
Its role is to help technically strong businesses communicate more clearly and more credibly with the market. Through technical articles, white papers, blogs, LinkedIn content, and other knowledge-driven materials, the business supports thought leadership, brand visibility, and business development with content grounded in subject matter expertise.
What Sets Us Apart
The strength of WATEN Companies lies in the combination of technical depth and technical communication capability.
WATEN Process Engineering supports the technical side of wastewater planning, treatment, optimization, and sustainability-led implementation. WATEN Technical Writing Services supports the communication side by turning technical insight into clear, credible, and commercially valuable content. Together, the two companies create a broader offering that helps clients not only solve technical problems but also communicate technical value more effectively.
This integrated positioning allows WATEN Companies to contribute across consulting, knowledge development, training, and market-facing technical communication in a way that is both specialist and commercially relevant.
Our Mission & Vision
WATEN’s mission is to contribute meaningfully to sustainable wastewater management, circular economy integration, and positive environmental impact through engineering solutions, informative content, education, and practical knowledge-sharing. The broader direction of the group also reflects a commitment to economic growth, entrepreneurship, job creation, and responsible long-term environmental stewardship.
The broader direction of the group also reflects a commitment to economic growth, entrepreneurship, job creation, and responsible long-term environmental stewardship.
The group’s vision is to be a leading contributor in pioneering sustainable wastewater solutions that support innovation, growth, and improved quality of life.
The Core Principles That Guide Our Work
Technical Credibility
We build on real engineering experience, practical project exposure, and specialist understanding of water and wastewater demand and management systems.
Sustainability with Practical Value
We approach wastewater and industrial effluent management as both an environmental responsibility and an opportunity for better long-term sustainability outcomes.
Knowledge and Capacity Building
We believe technical expertise should be shared, translated, and applied in ways that strengthen organisations business outcomes and professionals capabilities.
Let’s Discuss Your Technical or Strategic Needs
At WATEN Companies, we bring together engineering insight, industry experience, and technical communication to support better decisions and better outcomes in the water and wastewater sector. Whether through specialist consulting, technical content, training, or knowledge products, our goal is to contribute solutions that are technically sound, strategically relevant, and aligned with a more sustainable future.
