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BUSINESS AND TRAINING
WELS is on its way !
By
Rory Macnamara
The Water Efficiency Labelling & Standards programme presented its preliminary findings during National Water Week recently .
Under the umbrella of the SA National Energy Development Institute ( SANEDI ) and in collaboration with the Collaborative Labelling and Appliance Standards Programme ( CLASP ), a webinar was held where the report was presented .
SANEDI
Some background to provide perspective . In 2008 , discussions started around a Water efficiency labelling system with a group of manufacturers who identified a number of standards that were not aligned around certain aspects of water . During the webinar it was pointed out that such an exercise had been done earlier than 2008 which was submitted to the then Dept of Water Affairs – which is still gathering dust on a shelf somewhere .
SABS and a technical advisor attended the ISO WELS committee meeting and they were exposed to the views of WELS by many countries . Upon return , the work began in earnest and Jackstra Solutions was appointed to investigate the local version and prepare a report . It is worth noting that the Dept of Water and Sanitation had identified the need for such a scheme in its Master Plan with a starting date of 2025 . ( It was pointed out that we would have run out of potable water by then and sadly that predication appears to be coming true at a pace .)
Water and energy are symbiotic . An energy ( electricity ) crisis means a water crisis follows . The processing of water from collection and treatment to potable requires energy – so several departments are responsible for aspects of the process to the end users .
These departments are :
• Dept of Mineral Resources and Energy – energy supply and energy labelling ( appliances )
• Dept of Water & Sanitation – water
• Dept of Trade , Industry & Competition – importing of products
• National Regulator for Compulsory Standards – enforcement
• SA Bureau of Standards – Standards where some may be called up by an Act to become compulsory
Thabo Masike , the deputy director Water Efficiency provided the department ’ s view on the need for a water efficiency rating & labelling standard for domestic and commercial appliances and components . SA has an average rainfall of 450ml per annum compared to the
“ He pointed out where the problem lies – unqualified people doing work they are not qualified to do . .” world average of 857ml . He pointed out that under the National Water Act of 1999 , Sec 22 ( 2 ) the Minister has the authority to regulate inefficient and wasteful use of products .
In the water space these are identified generally as : Showerheads * Dishwashers * Washing machines Toilet systems Urinals Taps / Mixers Flow controllers
* – Already labelled under energy using letters but may be further labelled in the water usage application with 0 – ‘ Not good ’, to 5 being ‘ Excellent ’ type of rating .
Herman Strauss of Jackstra Solutions presented his report . ( Please note this is very basic as the full presentation had not yet been sent by the time of writing .)
As an introduction he stated that water is not a commodity for drinking and washing but impacts the health of people . It moves waste , it provides sustenance , it is used in the food and beverage process .
He made mention that poor plumbing and products will cause harm , contributing to water borne diseases , excessive use of electricity and possible scalding .
While the industry and government have been providing pockets of standards in the water space it is established that the standards are not aligned , contributing to confusion and misinterpretation of standards at all levels , private and public , resulting in poor performance at most levels .
He pointed out where the problem lies – unqualified people doing work they are not qualified to do .
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline May 2023 Volume 29 I Number 3