Below are two versions of an executive summary.

The first is an extended version, which exceeds

the word limit for the Research Briefing Paper (RBP). The second is a short, abridged, version
meeting the 300 word limit for the RBP. There are also differences in writing style between the
two—both acceptable as formal writing.

These give you an idea of what is required, and how to write, an executive summary. You do not
have to structure your executive summary exactly like these examples. In particular, it is not
necessary to use numbered paragraphs.

Thanks to Jola Szymakowski for this example.

Executive summary - extended

This research project was carried out to identify methods which the Department of Water and
Sanitation – Cape Town could implement to alleviate drought pressures in Cape Town. In the
current drought, Cape Town has been forced to limit water usage to 20 L per person daily, which is
almost 15 times less than the average consumer.

A literature review of Cape Town’s current water systems showed that

(i) Cape Town’s current water system is made up of major dams which are almost
completely reliant on rainfall,
(ii) Cape Town already has four small-scale desalination plants that only operate during
emergency times;
(iii) the four desalination plants provide only minimal benefits;
(iv) desalination plants have a resilience to climatic variability.

Data analysis showed that integrating a sea water reverse osmosis desalination plant with the
capacity of 300,000 m3/ day into the city’s base supply of water can provide better security and
mitigate drought pressures by allowing consumers to increase their water usage to 150 L/day.

It is recommended that:
(i) A large scale seawater plant with a capacity of 300,000 m3/ day be constructed and
integrated into the city’s base water supply. The capital cost of this is $2.3M.
(ii) The seawater desalination plant be co-located and share infrastructure with Koeberg
nuclear power station in Cape Town. This provides a ready source of power for the
seawater plant without needing to build expensive power infrastructure.
(iii) The seawater plant use reverse osmosis. This technology is shown to be robust with
minimal maintenance and running costs. Expected maintenance costs: $200,000/pa.
Expected running costs: $250,000 pa.

The limitations associated with a large-scale seawater desalination plant include the capital costs to
build the plant, the operational costs and the maintenance costs. However, these costs can be
minimised by collocating the desalination plant with the Koeberg nuclear power station in Cape
Town. A second limitation is the length of time needed to build and integrate the seawater plant. A
300,000 m3/day seawater plant is expected to take 18 months to build, with integration another
three months.
Executive summary - short
I conducted this research project to identify methods which the Department of Water and
Sanitation – Cape Town could implement to secure Cape Town’s water supply during extended
drought.

A literature review of Cape Town’s current water systems showed that it

(i) is made up of dams which are reliant on rainfall,
(ii) has four small-scale desalination plants that only operate during emergency
times and cannot produce enough water to satisfy demand;

Data analysis showed that integrating a sea water reverse osmosis desalination plant with the
capacity of 300,000 m3/ day into the city’s base supply of water would supply sufficient water to
allow consumers to increase their water usage to 150 L/day during drought conditions.

I recommend the Department

(i) construct a large-scale seawater plant with a capacity of 300,000 m3/ day, and
integrate it into the city’s base water supply. The capital cost of this is $2.3M.
(ii) build the plant adjacent to the Koeberg nuclear power station so that
infrastructure can be shared.
(iii) use reverse osmosis desalination because the technology is robust with minimal
maintenance and running costs. Expected maintenance costs: $200,000 pa.
Expected running costs: $250,000 pa.

A limitation is the length of time needed to build and integrate the seawater plant. A 300,000 m3
per day seawater desalintaion plant would take 18 months to build and integration another
three months. Thus, the Department may need to take interim measures to secure Cape Town’s
water supply until construction is complete.