Editor’s comment

Editor Kirsten Kelly kirsten.kelly@3smedia.co.za Managing Editor Alastair Currie Head of Design Beren Bauermeister Chief Sub-editor Tristan Snijders Contributors Xanthe Adams, Lester Goldman, Thandeka Jwara, Chetan Mistry, Kagiso More, Dan Naidoo, Christian Wolkersdorfer Production & Client Liaison Manager Antois-Leigh Nepgen Production Coordinator Jacqueline Modise Distribution Manager Nomsa Masina Distribution Coordinator Asha Pursotham Group Sales Manager Chilomia Van Wijk Bookkeeper Tonya Hebenton Advertising Sales Hanlie Fintelman c +27 (0)67 756 3132 Hanlie.Fintelman@3smedia.co.za

Publisher Jacques Breytenbach 3S Media 46 Milkyway Avenue, Frankenwald, 2090 PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117 Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/5 www.3smedia.co.za

ISSN: 1990 - 8857 Annual subscription: R330 (SA rate) subs@3smedia.co.za Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. All articles herein are

copyright protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publishers. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Water Institute of Southern Africa or the publishers.

WISA’s Vision

Inspiring passion for water

WISA Contacts: HEAD OFFICE Tel: 086 111 9472(WISA) Fax: +27 (0)11 315 1258 Physical address: 1stFloor, Building 5, Constantia Park, 546 16th Road, Randjiespark Ext 7, Midrand Website: www.wisa.org.za

BRANCHES Central Branch (Free State, Northern Cape, North West) Chairperson: Dr Leana Esterhuizen Company: Central University of Technology Tel: +27 (0)51 507 3850 Email: lesterhu@cut.ac.za

Eastern Cape: Branch Contact: Dan Abrahams Company: Aurecon Tel: +27 (0)41 503 3929 Cell: +27 (0) 81 289 1624 Email: Dan.Abraham@aurecongroup.com

Gauteng Branch Lead: Zoe Gebhardt Cell: +27 (0)82 3580876 Email: zoe.gebhardt@gmail.com

KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson: Lindelani Sibiya Company: Umgeni Water Cell: +27 (0)82 928 1081 Email: lindelani.sibiya@umgeni.co.za

Limpopo Chairperson: Mpho Chokolo Company: Lepelle Northern Water Cell: +27 (0)72 310 7576 Email: mphoc@lepelle.co.za

Mpumalanga Chairperson: Lihle Mbatha (Acting) Company: Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency Tel: +27 (0)13 753 9000 Email: mbathat@iucma.co.za

Western Cape Chairperson: Natasia van Binsbergen Company: AL Abbott & Associates Tel: +27 (0)21 448 6340 Cell: +27 (0)83 326 3887 Email: natasia@alabbott.co.za

Namibia Please contact the WISA Head Office on admin@wisa.org.za for more information

EDITOR’S COMMENT Great news about energy reform – but what about water?

Although I am an optimist, my optimism is often put to the test when writing about the water industry.

But I remain optimistic, and devour any good news story that comes my way. When President Ramaphosa announced an energy reform, where the government will amend the Electricity Regulation Act (No. 4 of 2006) to raise the exemption threshold from 1 MW to 100 MW, I did a happy dance.

And then my heart dropped when I read his statement: “Our ability to address the energy crisis swiftly and comprehensively will determine the pace of our economic recovery. Resolving the energy supply shortfall and reducing the risk of loadshedding is our single most important objective in reviving economic growth.”

What about water? Water use and energy supply are inextricably linked. The provision of energy requires water, and energy is often needed to pump, treat or transport water. The need to protect water quality and supply – and the need to ensure a stable and growing energy supply – should hold equal weight.

However, the water situation is more dire than the energy situation. Water supply is mostly fixed by nature whereas energy supply is by design. We cannot create water.

Water Warrior But back to optimism – WASA has created a new permanent feature called Water Warriors. This is an individual/ business that addresses South Africa’s water challenges through corporate stewardship. The profile will demonstrate how the individual/corporate identifies and reduces critical water risks to their businesses, seize water-related opportunities, and contribute to water security and the UN’s SDGs.

I could not have hoped for a better Water Warrior in Gerrie Brink, his company – AQUAffection – and the #SurplusWater2025 movement that they started. #SurplusWater2025 has saved over one billion litres of water to date! Gerrie is calling on companies to collaborate and work together in tackling the water crisis. Read the story on page 16 and please do join the #SurplusWater2025 movement.

Blue and Green Drop And then there is more good news: the much-needed Blue Drop and Green Drop certification programme has been resuscitated.

Established in 2009, the incentive-based Blue Drop and Green Drop programmes aimed to raise the awareness of municipalities of good practice in water supply and wastewater treatment. They led directly to many municipalities investing in their water and sanitation staff and infrastructure, and thereby improving their performance. The programmes also generated a wealth of data that enabled the water sector at large to plan and manage the water value chain more effectively. Read more about this on page 52.

Mine water and industrial effluent We also delve into the very complex and interesting world of mine water and industrial effluent where key players like Knight Piésold, Aquamat and WaterIcon talk about trends and issues facing the industry.

Covid-19 Currently, I am writing this column in my five-year-old son’s room as he is home from school after his teacher tested positive for Covid-19. He has made surprise appearances in my Teams meetings, and taken over my office space by playing drums on my desk. But that inconvenience is small, considering the loss suffered by families and businesses. Please look after yourselves, be kind to each other and stay safe.

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