FEATURES
By law all citizens should have access to water and quality sanitation .
SIMILAN
Quality plumbing is for all
Poor plumbing leads to unhealthy environments and can cause life threatening diseases .
By Ntsako Khosa
While most affordable housing is government driven , the responsibility to adhere to mandatory standards , as stated in the Bill of Rights , also sits with government . Laws are in place and regulatory bodies have been set up to ensure adherence to laws surrounding building standards .
According to the Institute of Plumbing SA ( IOPSA ), laws related to plumbing are three-tier . They include legislation , which are laws to govern society ; standards , which govern application of legislation ( for instance , through regulatory bodies like the South African Bureau of Standards ); and lastly by-laws , which are derived from standards applied in local municipalities specific to the area .
IOPSA highlights four plumbing acts , one of which is the Water Services Act ( 108 of 1997 ), which is implemented to provide for the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation and provides for the setting of national standards and norms and standards for tariffs .
Harold Spies , CEO of Similan , a property development company specialising in properties for the emerging middle-class market , says that the properties they develop are not merely about homeowners being able to afford the bond repayments but more about them being able to afford living in homes , which are developed by Similian . “ This ongoing affordability is linked to a home ’ s utilities bill . Plumbing and sanitation is therefore more important than most people think ,” he says .
To install quality and long-lasting plumbing and sanitation , quality products need to be considered , says the Department of Water and Sanitation director : media liaison and content development , Ratau Sputnik .
“ Installation of quality products and the work of qualified artisans and plumbers enhance the quality of life of the end users . This is an obvious benefit not just for the good health of the homeowner , but also ensures longevity of the infrastructure where it is installed .”
Mayoral Committee member for Transport and Urban Development of the City of Cape Town , Councillor Brett Herron , states that in terms of subsidises for housing developments , the City adheres to minimum standards as required by SANS 10400 , as well as the Technical and General Guidelines of the National Housing Code and the National Home Builders Registration Council ( NHBRC ).
“ We also require that a Certificate of Compliance is provided for each dwelling confirming that the plumbing and drainage is installed in accordance with the SANS 10400 and local authority requirements ,” he says .
22
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2017
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING