PRESIDENT’S COMMENT
IMESA
Let’s change for the better
W
e started the year facing the routine infrastructure challenges that have been on the municipal agenda for years. Now, on top of that, we have a completely unexpected one, following the arrival of Covid-19 at home and abroad. At the time of writing, the pandemic has escalated to levels that now need a massive intervention. Hopefully, the 21-day national lockdown that commenced from 23:59 on 26 March will stop the virus in its tracks. There are lessons to be learnt, and a hard price to pay going forward if we continue to ignore the obvious signs that nature sends us. The climate is fragile, and the way we interact with and depend on it for our future coexistence is in our hands. That includes the way we use and reuse water – our scarcest resource. In the light of Covid-19, that means exercising even more rigorous hygiene, but that’s problematic for the millions living in informal settlements. Some have access to community water points, and a lesser percentage have in-house supply. Additionally, very few have the luxury of conventional flushed sanitation, and so need to face the VIP toilets alongside their neighbours. It’s been like this for decades, compounded by the influx of South African migrants from rural areas in search of work in urban centres. We are also housing an increasing number of illegal migrants that continue to swell our burgeoning squatter camps. Government is addressing both issues, and on-the-ground municipal engineers are the critical change agents for effecting and
maintaining the infrastructure responses. As municipal engineers, our priority is to ensure that everyone has access to services. This crisis will certainly test our current and future preparedness.
Practical measures IMESA is committed to upskilling the engineering capabilities at all municipalities, since there are far too many gaps at present. We are achieving this through a range of cooperative initiatives, training courses and pilot studies. A recent example is a project jointly funded by IMESA and the Water Research Commission. Currently under way, its purpose is to develop a ‘Water Reclamation and Reuse Guide for Municipal Engineers’. Input is being invited from all relevant stakeholders. It’s critically important that there is a common understanding of the concepts and terminology used in the planning, implementation, operation, maintenance and management of water reuse schemes. During March 2020, we hosted an introductory workshop for the KwaZulu-Natal region at Durban University of Technology. This was led by Chris Swartz, the project leader, who presented on the need for reuse guidelines within the context of South Africa’s continued and widespread drought conditions. At the workshop, eThekwini Municipality also shared its own experiences on reuse projects, which include desalination. Providing an excellent platform for engagement, the workshop was attended by 23 water professionals. These comprised
municipal engineers, consulting engineers, Umgeni Water engineers, water reuse service providers, academia and researchers. We look forward to rolling out similar workshops in other parts of South Africa during the balance of 2020. Nothing in life should be taken for granted, which is why we need to be ready for all contingencies. Well-maintained infrastructure is the essential backbone of a well-functioning society. Covid-19 underscores this. Going forward in its aftermath, this will hopefully accelerate public and private sector investment in critical areas like health, public transport, housing, water and sanitation. Covid-19 certainly encourages far greater policy certainty. In the meantime, stay safe and well.
Randeer Kasserchun, president, IMESA
IMIESA April 2020
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