FEATURE 31
An NGO called CLASP has been working with DMRE and SANEDI on the electrical side , addressing efficiency standards and reducing CO 2
.
In 2020 they did a scoping study that focused on . Water heating and hot water fixtures ( taps and showerheads ), and efficiency that will reduce water , electricity , and CO 2
. They partnered with Solid Green Consulting and did a market and regulatory analysis , estimated impact , and recommended the next steps .
The results “ South Africa is facing water stress and rolling blackouts due to insufficient grid capacity . Water efficiency standards for taps , mixers and showerheads could reduce energy for water heating , responsible for 40-50 % of residential electricity use .
* From : ‘ Money down the drain – Corruption in South Africa ’ s water sector .’ A Water Integrity Network / Corruption Watch report . Principal researcher and Author : Prof Mike Muller and Technical Director Water Institute SA ( WISA ). PA
“ It was encouraging to note the positiveness of participants .”
Unfortunately , there has been no consensus :
• National standards either conflict and are out of date ( Taps and mixers ); or
• Do not exist ( showerheads ).
Solution : Support standards and labelling for water products
• SANS 10400 XB code of Practice for Buildings – Water efficiency
• Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards ( WELS ) based on ISO PC 316
• Water efficient taps , mixers and showerheads could reduce South Africa ’ s water use by over 1 trillion litres per annum and
CO 2 by 16 Mt per annum .”
Robert Anderson | Unsplash
Anyone who does the slightest work to do with water should read CLASP ’ s research document : In-depth assessment of water efficiency opportunities in South Africa –
www . clasp . ngo / research / all / in-depth-assessment-of-waterefficiency-opportunities-in -south-africa /
At a recent webinar sponsored by SANEDI with a pleasing number of attendees / participants and after presentations by CLASP and SANEDI , Herman Strauss presented the raison d ’ etre for such a standard and made mention of much of the feedback from the 2019 session as well as the ISO meeting .
From the number of questions , it was encouraging to note the positiveness of participants and the few warnings ( inevitable in SA !) but most accepting that such a project should not be delayed which would contribute to eliminating much of the garbage that is currently on sale , against compulsory regulations , and setting us on a path of compliance and genuine water saving .
The one concern expressed by me was the SABS , who had done nothing since 2019 after their return from the ISO meeting , and what assurances do we have that this will be done and quickly ? Herman assured us that the technical committee was in place and the SABS are fully behind this .
Anyone with comments , thoughts , views , or ideas should be in contact with Herman at herman @ strausse . co . za .
January 2022 Volume 27 I Number 11 www . plumbingafrica . co . za