African Utility Week will have a strong focus on water again this year from 15-17 May in Cape Town when the conference will showcase how partnerships, financial models and latest technological advances can make the greatest impact in meeting Africa’s water demand.

Gerardt P. Viljoen, Managing Director of Sensus SA and GM for Sensus in Africa, an event sponsor and one of the expert speakers at African Utility Week, says they want utilities to start thinking out of the box on water solutions, capabilities and solutions.

Top priority

“The water situation in South Africa is not only worrisome it should be considered as the top priority for any form of economic sustainability,” he notes.

“Increasing storing capabilities, reviewing traditional catchment areas and weather pattern changes, recycling of water and waste water treatment, network infrastructure maintenance and demand side management should all be top national priorities going forward.”

Viljoen adds that it is important to not only have smart metering. “Smart metering should be intelligent. How to make smart metering intelligent and use it to solve infrastructure, supply and demand issues is what we are all about this year.”

AUW going ahead despite water shortages

Meanwhile the organisers of African Utility Week have assured all stakeholders in this long running conference and exhibition that the event will go ahead as planned despite the current water restrictions in Cape Town.

“As a major event in the City, African Utility Week plays a crucial role in contributing towards the in-ward bound travel market,” says event director Evan Schiff, “by holding the event as planned, African Utility Week will continue to support the Cape Town economy as we cannot allow for there to be massive job losses on top of a water constrained situation.”