12 EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
• Apply the CARE principle : Conserve – Add – Recycle and reuse – Energy A principle that needs no explanation but rather a commitment to actively make it work .
• Water efficiency systems ( first with DWS and now with NRCS and stuck there- for SA only )
• Through the efforts of Plumbing Africa , the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme ( WELS ) was revived and together with the ISO Technical Committee , a discussion was held with manufacturers to hear of their views so these could be included in the points brought forward . The South Africa Bureau of Standards ( SABS ) took up the matter and was represented together with an independent technical person at the ISO TC meeting . Upon return a report was provided which concluded that it would be better for South Africa to draw up their own WELS as the needs of every country are different . Whilst there is much information to draw from , it sadly remains in the hands of the SABS who have done nothing to take this further .
• Better plumbing consideration design With increasing populations as well as high population growth in urban areas , a lack of design will impact on health and environment .
• The sensible application of new technologies New technologies that go beyond the standards but that will service informal settlements and rural areas . This around health issues . Standards must be adapted to cater for this failing , in which the formal sector will fade and informal will grow to the detriment of health and the environment .
This outcome is the very essence of good plumbing by qualified plumbers – as we have stated again and again , plumbers are the protectors of the nation ’ s health . It is not only South Africa ’ s population that is growing , but all over the world and if standards do not keep pace , we place the health of people at risk . South Africa must nevertheless accept it needs to cater for a greater population that under apartheid never had most of these services . Granted , currently many still do not have such services under a democratic government , but it would be wrong not to acknowledge that there has been improvement , albeit slow and disjointed .
• Standards and enforcement were an international issue with different countries experiencing enforcement in different ways and none very good Standards and enforcement continue to be an international issue as water will always be a political football and our business is water . It is incumbent on industry , local authorities , government , NGOs , and all with a stake in the water industry to work together .
I quote from the summary of the Chairman of the Water & Sanitation Breakaway . “ While the plumbing industry and health officials tout the critical role of the plumber and accepted plumbing science as being the first line of defence in creating healthy communities , there is an unresolved dissonance felt by some plumbers in response to industry leaders who often promote technology , without demonstrating an appreciation for the underlying plumbing principles that govern most plumbing applications and system implementation .”
* ‘ Money down the drain – Corruption in South Africa ’ s water sector ’. A Water Integrity Network and Corruption Watch , March 2020 , study by main researcher and author , Prof Mike Muller . PA
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline March 2022 Volume 28 I Number 1