The South African Water Meter Manufacturers’ Association has welcomed new government plans to invest billions of rand into infrastructural projects, urging that the conservation of dwindling water resources be among its most important priorities.

“The government has done an excellent job over recent years in bringing water to increasing numbers of people. The next stage is to protect those gains by drastically curbing continuing water wastage through more efficient metering,” says association chairman, Friedrich Draxl. “We are seeing a rapid decline in water availability through climate change unnecessary wastage and increasing demand. It is estimated that within 10 to 15 years, demand will significantly exceed supply.”

Better management of water resources is a key to solving the wastage problem – wastage not just of water but also of millions of rand revenue rightly due to water authorities for the maintenance and upgrading of water supply networks, Draxl believes.

“The development of new metering technology by the major European meter manufacturers is providing South Africa with an efficient answer to this problem. Metering is now more efficient than it has ever been in the key areas of low-flow measurement, and the ability to transmit metered data accurately and reliably into water management and billing systems. This allows for quick detection of water loss and accurate billing.”

Unpaid bills

Draxl says industry leaders estimate that about 30% of total water consumption in South Africa is actually unpaid for, either because it’s wasted through undetected leaks, inaccurate measurement, inaccurate meter reading, or not metered at all.

“Better management of water resources by water utilities through more efficient metering can prevent this from happening in the future. It is acknowledged worldwide that the payback period on the initial capital investment in more advanced metering infrastructures is extremely quick. It should be noted that water savings also have a sizeable positive impact on energy consumption.

“Besides the direct savings, major capital investments required to build new dams, boreholes, desalination plants and developing other primary sources of water can be deferred, or in some cases cancelled altogether.”

Source: SA Water Meter Manufacturers Association