IWS

Mark was given the opportunity to participate as a volunteer in Chile, with an expedition called Operation Raleigh From an early age, Mark took an interest in motor sport and competed against able-bodied drivers in kart racing different skill set and improvise where necessary. My own well-being and that of those I work with is made a lot easier by applying vision to overcoming challenges, using good planning in providing appropriate solutions, and using the resources of the people around me to maximise the outcome,” adds Bannister.

“Those with disability make up 15% of our own society – that is 15% of additional resources we are underutilising as a nation and can contribute towards the economic growth of South Africa,” he explains.

Engineers, planners, social scientists, government officials and all members of society have a responsibility to build appropriate infrastructure, break down the physical and social barriers that exist, reduce segregation and discrimination, and build inclusivity. Only then can we claim to address issues of inclusiveness.

WISA • IWS

Division to help apply innovation

The Innovations for Water Supply and Sanitation (IWS) Division cuts across all of WISA’s divisions and aims to promote innovation through building expertise and sharing knowledge.

IWS connects all stakeholders together through various platforms like webinars and learning events. They initiate discussions and introduce innovators with people from water utilities and municipalities.

Wendy Mey, lead of the IWS Division, believes that an inhibitor for innovation is when people work in silos. “We want to be that platform that breaks down the silos, that brings the people who need solutions and the innovators together. Information sharing is an important part of IWS and we like to create a space where professionals, utilities and municipalities can learn from one another.” Focus areas for the division are the following: • Water treatment technologies (focus on new materials, energy intensity, driving down the cost of treatment, and smarter management of sludge and brine produced through the process). • Smart grid concept (linked to data analytics, sensors and real time modelling, predictive analysis and forecasting). • Disinfection technologies or processes (chemical-free treatment or on-site generation of chemicals/mobile and

modular/rural and urban context). • New water sources or integrated planning of available water resources • Waste to beneficiation technologies (nutrient recovery, energy, agriculture, etc. with a water and wastewater focus, upscaling and zero-waste treatment facilities). • Business, data and digital transformation in the water and sanitation industry (modelling, 4IR technology, data management, analytics and information use).