It was said in WASA

You said it in WASA

The opinions and statements shared by thought leaders in the water industry to Water&Sanitation Africa.

“Close to 11 million households have access to a flushing toilet – using mostly using 9 to 12 litres per flush. If we can reduce the amount of flush water used by half or 50%, we could potentially save up to 400 Mℓ of water per day. It is imperative that we all learn how much water we are using, especially regarding sanitation. If we can manage the amount of fresh water that goes down the drain, we have a better chance of securing water for other uses.” Akin Akinsete, programme

manager, WRC

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“With significant political changes (a new minister, impending new director general and new local government) as well as a revitalised outlook from business and society due to Covid-19, an opportunity for a renewed approach to the water crisis – a water renaissance – has presented itself.” Lester Goldman,

CEO, WISA

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“Sanitation needs coordinated and facilitated discussions with the community before any technology is even trialled, let alone adopted. It requires a type of social trust (which is sadly lacking in many communities and municipalities). With sanitation, technical people need to consider social behaviour, customs, community norms, as well as local risks – and the appropriate technology needs to be strongly motivated. Engaging with communities, stakeholders and municipalities is crucial to success.” Dan Naidoo,

chairman, WISA PAGE

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“The social model of disability states that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference. Removing these barriers creates equality and offers disabled people more independence, choice and control.” Mark Bannister,

chief engineer: Water Services Planning and Information, Department of Water and Sanitation

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“ISO 30500 will permit the creation of a new market with a lot of innovative nonsewered sanitation systems and will drastically reduce the diseases linked to a lack of sanitation. ISO 30500 is the first step for the development of a local circular economy with the transformation of human wastes into valuable resources.” Jay Bhagwan,

executive manager: Water Use and Waste Management, Water Research Commission

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“Large parts of the South African population have inadequate access to sanitation facilities and services. In order to address this, the current sanitation environment must be transformed towards a smart sanitation technology solutions environment that will see sanitation going off the grid and adopting a circular economy approach. NEWgenerator is an example of this type of technology.” Wayne Taljaard,

managing director, WEC Projects PAGE

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“Conventional practices related to wastewater sludge management include land disposal, waste piling, landfill disposal and, to a lesser degree, use in agricultural practices. These are becoming less viable with a ban on liquids to landfill and the plan to reduce solid organic waste to landfill. Furthermore, transport costs and landfilling fees keep increasing. With sludge production increasing daily, the current practices are unsustainable.”

Chris Braybrooke, GM: Marketing, Veolia Services Southern Africa PAGE

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“Urbanisation increases the coverage of impervious surfaces, preventing water from infiltrating the ground and increasing the volume of runoff. The impervious surfaces (such as roads) are spaced closely together and have their own stormwater drains. This means that the whole system responds rapidly to a high-intensity storm – causing frequent flash flooding. Compounding the issue is the fact that run-off often carries debris, chemicals, bacteria, eroded soil and other pollutants, and transports these into streams, rivers, lakes or wetlands.” Chris Brooker,

consulting engineer specialising in water management PAGE

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“I would also advise the new [Water Research Commission] CEO to always listen to authorities but, in the manner and tradition of science, one should not always be obedient. Research institutions need to redefine the operating environment, and this involves challenging rules that do not make sense and developing new rules to prosper. Be tactful, as there is no need to rude, but never be afraid of talking truth to power. That is the power of science: it is not an opinion. You must present the science as it exists. Good science requires brave people and this job is for a brave individual.” Dhesigen Naidoo, former CEO,

Water Research Commission

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“Many water resources are shared between provinces. National interests are prominent in such transboundary dialogues. Water services authorities should seek to voice their needs and concerns through intermediary organisations such as associations because they are best informed of local conditions relevant to river basin management.” Dr Masindi Mapholi, directorate: Water Services Macro

Planning, Department of Water and Sanitation PAGE

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“With elections now past and the pink and orange forms dropped, people are still suffering from an acute nationwide drought of water service delivery. The question that remains is: can the electoral elite colours of blue, red, orange and chartreuse yellow implement long-term solutions with their short-term gains?” Zaid Railoun, project

relationship manager, Morwakoma Matji Investment Holdings PAGE

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“Leak detection in non-discrete areas can be challenging, as it is difficult to isolate the leak due to feedwater from other areas. The City of Cape Town has therefore developed a different approach where a scorecard is used.” Unathi Noludwe, senior

technician: Water Demand Management Division, City of Cape Town PAGE

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“In addition to a longer lifespan, HDPE pipes are easier to install and have less resistance than steel pipes. This leads to a pump working less, with the additional benefit of pumps lasting longer and using less electricity. Even when using solar energy, if a pump works less, the entire solar system can be smaller. Furthermore, HDPE pipes can be exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. This gives a farmer greater flexibility, as the pipes can be placed above the ground and easily moved in a few years’ time. Rodents and animals cannot chew through an HDPE pipe either.” Renier Pieterse, director, Barona Pipelines & Fittings 54 PAGE