Civil Engineering March 2022 | Vol 30 No 2

52 March 2022 Civil Engineering I t is terrible to see the impact a lack of water has on animals, plants and our en- vironment – not to mention on humans. It should be equally terrible to witness the callous waste and pollution of water. With our average rainfall about half that of the world average, South Africa is a water-scarce country. It is estimated that the average amount of water available per person in South Africa is about 2 000 m 3 , compared to 15 000 m 3 in the USA. The withdrawal of fresh water from ground or surface water sources (as a percentage of available water) has increased from about 42% to roughly 64% in South Africa between the period 2000 and 2018. In comparison, the graphs of other African countries are flat (and below 40%). Water resources are being polluted on a frightening scale. Table 1 is an extract from a UN Report comparing the proportion of good quality, raw water available in several African countries. Here again, South Africa’s results are a cause for concern. Table 1 Proportion of good quality, raw water available in several African countries South Africa 52% Botswana 78% Ethiopia 97% Zimbabwe 83% Kenya 87% Namibia 79% Given these alarming facts, it is mind boggling that our country’s leaders and citizens appear to have a complete lack of urgency and motivation to rectify the situation. Hundreds of faulty municipal water and sewage plants can be found all over the country, while thousands of litres of water continue to be lost every day due to poorly maintained pipelines. ROLE OF PLASTIC PIPES Plastic pipe is dominant in secondary water distribution and therefore a key factor in the country’s infrastructure. As the only major pipe association in South Africa, SAPPMA represents more than 80% of all certified plastic pipe produced in the country. Two of our main areas of focus are product standards and quality – both of which are indispensable in the bigger picture of ensuring water safety and security for every citizen and pre- serving our country’s water resources. SAPPMA is a voluntary, non-profit or- ganisation which works not only for the well-being of the plastics pipe industry, but also for the welfare of the people of the country. URGENT APPEAL Without readily available clean water, per- sonal hygiene and health is not possible. Government (specifically the Department of Water and Sanitation) is the custodian of water resources in the country and therefore responsible for the protection, development, conservation and proper management of water in a sustainable and equitable manner, for the benefit of all people and in accordance with its consti- tutional mandate. SAPPMA is therefore again making the following urgent appeals to government: Q Q Seriously address the widespread pol- lution of rivers, dams and wetlands Q Q Intervene in the mismanagement of municipal water and sewage treatment plants Q Q De-politicise the management of water in the country and fully utilise all the nation’s available engineering skills. In addition to the above, SAPPMA is ad- vocating for the saving of water with good quality plastic pipes that are durable, leak- free and properly installed. Corroding pipes and poor jointing are two of the major causes of water loss. For this reason, old steel and asbestos pipes around the world are being replaced with plastic pipes that do not rust and have leak-proof joints (if done correctly). A great deal of municipal pipe networks are beyond their useful life and should have already been replaced. The consequence of failing to do so is the substantial loss of precious, treated water in most municipal areas. This is clearly something that the country cannot afford. The benefits of using plastic pipe as opposed to other materials have been well documented and tested. Apart from having a lifetime that is more than double that of other materials, plastic Jan Venter CEO of SAPPMA jan@sappma.co.za SA fails to recognise urgent need for protecting water resources When blood stops flowing, the body dies. Similarly, when water stops flowing, a country “dies”. Everybody knows that water is essential to all forms of life, but not everybody shows respect or pays enough attention to this precious commodity. Op i n i on A great deal of municipal pipe networks are beyond their useful life and should have already been replaced. The consequence of failing to do so is the substantial loss of precious, treated water in most municipal areas