EMPOWERING THE WATER SECTOR THROUGH QUALIFIED PROCESS CONTROLLERS

The latest Blue Drop and Green Drop reports highlight the urgent need for trained process controllers.

By Dr Lester Goldman, CEO, WISA

This has been reinforced by Regulation 3630 that came into effect on 30 June 2023, announcing that all water and wastewater works must be overseen by someone who has the relevant qualifications and experience to ensure compliance and best practice principles. This is a major step in recognising class 5 and class 6 process controllers as professionals, similar to engineers and scientists.

Process controllers will need to register with WISA – the custodian of the Professional Process Controller designation – by the end of June 2025. WISA will not only ensure compliance with the relevant qualifications and experience needed in order to be registered as a class 5 and class 6 professional but will look after the professional reputation of its members. If one of our members’ actions lack integrity and tarnish the reputation of our industry and profession, we are obliged to act and remove the process controller’s professional registration.

Regulation 3630 empowers both process controllers and members of the public. It presents process controllers with an opportunity to forge a career, as well as constantly upskill themselves, and will play an important role in improving water and wastewater services for the public. It also adds a layer of accountability to the dayto-day operations of South Africa’s water and wastewater treatment works.

The public can at least anticipate the standard of the service provided. Professionalising key positions within the water sector will ensure that the right person is in the right job and, once they are in that job, they are professional. It will narrow down nepotism and political appointments.

Support

Employers within the water sector need to commit to the training of process controllers.

WISA will assist process controllers in maintaining their professional status by honing their skills. In addition, we will provide guidance and support to new entrants into the field. WISA, LGSETA, and EWSETA will work together with experts to ensure that all process controllers receive the required training to gain and maintain professional status. We are currently working with EWSETA around upskilling 100 process controllers. We are also speaking to a number of water service institutions and stakeholders regarding Regulation 3630 and we will be doing a number of road shows during the course of this year.

Professional Engineers, Professional Natural Scientists, and Professional Process Controllers will build this water sector. They bring the desired competency, accountability, and skills that the sector so desperately needs. We call on all municipalities to employ more professionals. WISA has, for many years, advocated for the professionalisation of key positions within the water sector, and we are excited and encouraged by Regulation 3630.