Plumbing Africa March 2017 | Page 14

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One of the keynote speakers at the conference , Dr Doulaye Kone , is deputy director for the Water , Sanitation and Hygiene Programme at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation . He manages a programme focusing on innovation in science and technology to ‘ Reinvent the Toilet ’ and the birthing of the new sanitation industry to serve the vast majority of people in developing countries who do not have access to a toilet or to an adequate sanitation service . activities , see an interesting research paper or become aware of an ongoing research project that ’ s applicable to the plumbing or water industries , make a point to personally reach out to the researchers , send them the link to the database and ask for their participation in support of the WPC .

Secondly , we need to do a better job at using the database ourselves . Sign in occasionally ; see what ’ s new . For each research project uploaded on the database , the submitter indicates if users of the database can contact them via email . So , if you have questions , comments or suggestions for the researchers , we encourage you to contact them . As an open source Wiki application , this is the best means by which utilisation will expand . In short , the success of the database is up to us !

In closing , we are confident that increased utilisation of the database will work to draw our plumbing and water communities closer , providing a means for increased collaboration and the identification of our industry ’ s future research needs . Those are the exact outcomes that the WPC envisions using the Research Database .

The WPC Research Database can be accessed at http :// research . worldplumbing . org / tiki-index . php

Note : If you experience any problems using the WPC database , please contact Pete DeMarco at pete . demarco @ iapmo . org

Water is life That was one of the main themes for the 11th World Plumbing Council Conference held at the Cape Town International Conference Centre ( CTICC ) in South Africa from 14 to 16 September 2016 .

Delegates gathered from all around the world to attend this major event on the plumbing calendar , attracting first class keynote speakers . South Africa won the bid to host this event at the WPC conference in Edinburgh , Scotland , in 2011 . The WPC aims to develop and promote the image and standards of the plumbing industry worldwide . Some of the key aims of the organisation are :

• To encourage , participate in , and facilitate the exchange of information , research , and technology applicable to the world plumbing industry .

• To promote plumbing education and training worldwide .

• To promote the plumbing industry ’ s role in improving public health through the provision and protection of safe water and sanitation .

The two-day conference was crammed full of information , with key presentations concerning regulations for sustainable plumbing and the promotion of international standards . Breakaway sessions were also included , highlighting water , sanitation , energy , and environmental aspects relevant to the plumbing industry .

A full WPC Trade Exhibition was held in conjunction with the conference , which was represented by leading international brands as well as South Africa ’ s local manufacturers .

Before the commencement of the main conference , the Triennial General Meeting of the World Plumbing Council was held . Key matters for discussion and consideration by the delegates at the meeting included :

• The election of the WPC Executive Board for the 2016 – 2019 term ;

• Consideration of the bid to hold the 13th World Plumbing Conference in 2022 ; and

• Presentation on the Community Plumbing Challenge 2016 .

Fact The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) estimates that 80 % of sicknesses in the world are attributable to

March 2017 Volume 23 I Number 1 www . plumbingafrica . co . za