ASSOCIATIONS
IOPSA-registered plumbers ensure the free-flow benefits of water filtration
13
By
David Poggiolini for IOPSA
Institute of Plumbing of South Africa ( IOPSA ) -registered plumbers are increasingly diversifying into the water-purification and filtration installation market .
This is as concerns regarding the quality of municipal water supplies in certain areas of the country continue to grow and South African property owners become more aware of the risk of waterborne diseases . Certainly , fuelling concerns regarding water quality among property owners are incidences such as the recent cholera outbreak . By June 2023 , more than 40 people had died from the disease , with most confirmed cholera cases reported in three Gauteng districts .
Previously providing low growth potential , South Africa ’ s water purifiers market is expected to grow to USD540-million by 2025 . This is a trend that is also being driven by severe droughts in some parts of the country . For example , there was a marked increase in demand for these technologies in Cape Town when it was experiencing the driest period in its history . This is considering the negative impacts that droughts also have on the quality of water due to reduced dilution , higher water temperatures and increased salinity .
IOPSA Technical Manager , Steve van Zyl , explains that water filters strain water with a membrane or other filtration material to remove large particles and impurities .
“ Generally , property owners consult with IOPSA-registered plumbers about their filtration requirements when their water has an odour , is hazy , tastes poorly and isn ’ t flowing properly . Water contaminated with heavy metals , minerals and chemicals can also damage appliances , such as dishwashers , washers and hot water systems , as well as plumbing systems . Therefore , appliances and plumbing that must be replaced prematurely are also signs of water quality issues on a property . IOPSA-registered plumbers can advise on the type of technology that best suits their clients ’ specific applications . In some instances , all that may be required are carbon countertop filters that can be easily moved from one area to the next quickly and easily . However , there may be circumstances that warrant the use of point-of-use systems . Installed at specific taps under sinks , they are more efficient than the latter , providing a reliable supply of fresh , drinkable water . Some property owners have even opted for wholehouse filters because they have many different points of use and the water quality issues on their premises warrant such an investment ,” Van Zyl says .
There are two typical types of under-sink and whole-house water filters , namely reverse osmosis , and ion exchange .
© Mari Macnamara | Plumbing Africa
Reverse osmosis systems use a property ’ s water pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane . This action removes up to 99 % of salt ions , detergents , lead , fluoride , molecules , bacteria and other contaminants from water .
Ion exchange filters turn water from hard to soft by attracting and trapping magnesium and calcium in water via a tank filled with sodium beads . These are then replaced with safer and undetectable sodium ions .
Irrespective of the type of technology deployed , Van Zyl advises to always use an IOPSA-registered plumber when installing an undersink or whole house filtration system . The latter , in particular , is a complex system to install requiring specialist plumbing skills to do so .
“ These installations have a direct bearing on the overall quality of your drinking water . It has to comply with the South African National Standard 241 Drinking Water Specification as determined by the Department of Water and Sanitation , National Department of Health and the South African Bureau of Standards to safeguard occupants of a building . Notably , this standard explicitly states that only a qualified plumber may work on a water line in a building , irrespective of its size . Attempting to install the filtration system yourself or appointing an unlicensed plumber to do so could contaminate your drinking and cooking water supplies , placing the health and safety of occupants
Steve van Zyl , Technical Manager IOPSA .
November 2023 Volume 29 I Number 9 www . plumbingafrica . co . za