ENVIRONMENT and ENERGY
31
Investing in water
According to Forbes , water scarcity is a global theme that combines demographics and climate change . There is no substitute for water . As the world ’ s population continues to grow and becomes wealthier , demand for water is rising fast .
By
Andrew ( Andy ) Camphausen
According to the UN , by 2025 , 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity , and two-thirds of the world ’ s population could be under water stress .
From human consumption to industrial and agricultural use , global demand for water and water services are expected to outpace the current supply .
The International Food Policy Research Institute suggests that there will be a 40 % gap between water demand and supply over the next 15 years . We , in South Africa , are already witnessing this trend . Water scarce regions in South Africa where crops and animals are used for human consumption are already under immense pressure . The government is forced to purchase staple foods from water prosperous countries . The challenge here is that these countries know how desperate we are and the price of food is substantially increased due to the high global food demand , including from our country .
I am sure all of us have felt the pinch . In my household , I am lucky to get away with spending less than R3 000 per month on my groceries — and then it ’ s just the basics .
Every person drinks two to four litres of water per day and eats 2 000 – 5 000 litres of virtual water in the food they consume .
So how can we invest in water ?
• Our single largest challenge in this country is our failing infrastructure . How great it would be if we were to start up preventative maintenance companies and contract ourselves to both public and private enterprises ? Preventative maintenance is the answer to failing infrastructure and if managed properly , the infrastructure would not fail but function as if it were brand new .
• Look at opportunities or inventions where we don ’ t need the use of excessive water . I watched a programme on television recently regarding hydroponics on a considerable commercial scale . Hydroponics is self-watering and needs minimal initial water to start off . It has become big business in the US — why not also in South Africa ?
• Switch to renewable energy , such as solar and wind that use very little water , as it is crucial in reducing demand for water .
• Expand water supply by investing in exploration , desalination , and wastewater plants . This could develop new water infrastructure and create sustainable and reliable supply systems .
• Educate ourselves , and then the public at large , on water saving and sustainable solutions . This can form part of our maintenance plumbing service to our customers . For example , if a customer calls to unblock their drain , a simple walk around the house with a checklist of potential water wasting devices can be brought to the attention of the homeowner . Thus , your company may get more work than just the call-out . In doing so , we are all contributing to the water supply issues in which we currently find ourselves .
The plight for water and water security is now an everyday reality and we as the plumbing fraternity can and must play a part in the solution .
If we , as water related service professionals , do not take heed of the immense opportunities afforded to us , who will ? PA
“ There is no substitute for water .”
Andrew Camphausen
Andrew ( Andy ) Camphausen has been in the building / plumbing industry for over 20 years . During his six years in the Free State , he was nominated and served as the vice-chairman of IOPSA Free State . He was offered a Regional Management position at Cobra Watertech , which is still his employer today . In 2011 , Andy was promoted to National Channel Manager of the Commercial Sector , where he was transferred to the head office in Bryanston , Gauteng .
www . plumbingafrica . co . za March 2017 Volume 23 I Number 1