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HEALTH AND SANITATION
sanitation and clean water systems and educational programs . By working directly with indigenous communities , IWSH is helping underprivileged populations gain access to clean and safe water , working toward Sustainable Development Goal No . 6 .
Becoming Future Leaders An important piece of creating safe water and sanitation access is ensuring that the systems that are being created are sustainable and benefit the environment . Looking to the future , IWSH has the opportunity to become a leader in the industry by prioritizing water systems that live in harmony with the earth , working toward Sustainable Development Goal No . 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities . Creating more sustainable and environmentally friendly water and sanitation systems would include using sustainable materials , installing more eco-friendly appliances to reduce water wastage , and recycling water and plumbing materials .
Using Sustainable Materials To build sustainable communities , as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal No . 11 , it ’ s necessary to begin using materials that won ’ t harm the planet . The most commonly used types of piping in plumbing are metal and polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) pipes . PVC pipes are made of cheap plastics , making them an appealing option to many buyers , however , it has detrimental environmental impacts due to their tendency to leech harmful chemicals and microplastics into the water supply . Each time PVC piping is cut to meet specific proportions needed for projects , billions of both visible and invisible micro and nano plastics are released . Unfortunately , metal piping isn ’ t the best option , either , as it begins to rust and corrode after approximately 20 years of use , causing rusty water and making it unsustainable for long-term applications as it begins to leech chemicals into the water . The most sustainable alternative to these two popularised materials is eco-friendly plastic pipes , made from materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene , which the environmental activist group Greenpeace has recognized as a viable , sustainable plumbing material for the future . By advocating for the use of sustainable materials , IWSH would become a leader in the industry and start working toward Sustainable Development Goal No . 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities .
Eco-Friendly Appliances An important piece in working toward Sustainable Development Goal No . 11 is using energy-efficient appliances to reduce water and energy consumption and help keep our limited water supply available further into the future . All around there are many environmentally conscious alternatives on the market , such as low-flow showerheads , water-saving toilets , solar-powered water heating , and more energyefficient appliances . For example , 20 % of a home ’ s energy usage is dedicated to water heaters , therefore , by switching to a solarpowered water heater it would become much more energy efficient and better for the planet as a whole .
One way for IWSH to begin investing in eco-friendly and energyefficient appliances for their various projects is to look for the Energy Star certification on products . The Energy Star certification is an extension of the United States Environmental Protection Agency , and products containing this label are certified energy efficient and protect the climate , air , and public health . By investing in eco-friendly appliances , IWSH could lead by example and work toward clean water and sanitation for all while also building sustainable communities .
Recycling Water and Materials An extremely promising way of working toward safe water access and sustainable communities is to begin recycling and reusing both water and plumbing materials . To prevent many items from sitting in landfills , recycling materials used in plumbing is a good way to preserve our planet , as leaving potentially harmful materials in landfills has the potential to leech damaging chemicals into the earth . Additionally , recycling materials saves money on materials , meaning it ’ s equally as sustainable for the plumbers / companies as it is for the earth .
Some charities exist for lightly used plumbing and construction materials , therefore , instead of buying all new materials for plumbing projects , it would be beneficial to purchase as much as possible from these organizations . Water itself is also in limited supply , making it an integral resource to conserve . Properly managing water is integral to preserving water for future generations , and with this , comes the concept of recycling water .
Currently , 97 % of urban runoff water is not reused , and instead , is discharged into oceans , lakes and rivers . Considering water is a limited resource , recycling and reusing our water would enormously impact future generations . To become a future leader and begin working on Sustainable Development Goal No . 11 , alongside No . 6 , IWSH would greatly benefit by promoting the recycling of both materials and water in plumbing and sanitation projects .
IWSH has already made significant strides to work toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals . The goal that IWSH has been mainly focusing on is Goal No . 6 : Clean Water and Sanitation . To work toward this goal , IWSH has taken on many projects to advocate and take action to achieve clean water for all , including , but not limited to , educating youth , and collaborating with indigenous people around the world . Looking toward the future , IWSH has the potential to become a leader in the industry by prioritizing sustainable practices to preserve our planet , thus working toward Sustainable Development Goal No . 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities . Using sustainable materials , installing eco-friendly appliances , and focusing on recycling water and materials would help IWSH make giant strides in sustainability . IWSH has already made huge positive impacts in the global community , it will be inspiring to see how they use their resources to make further changes in the future . PA
“ To build sustainable communities , as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal No . 11 , it ’ s necessary to begin using materials that won ’ t harm the planet .”
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline November 2024 Volume 30 I Number 9