Optimum use of water in the domestic and industrial sectors

1. Optimum use of water in the domestic and industrial sectors JN Bhagwan

2. Distribution of Global Water • Salt water 97.5% & Fresh water 2.5% • Freshwater distributed as follows : • 0.3% Lakes and river flows • 29% groundwater • 0.9% soil moisture, ground ice, swamp water • 69% Glaciers and snow (from P Glieck 1993) • One third of population live in water stressed environments.

3. How bad is the water crisis? • Between 1900 and 1995 water use in the world has increased by a factor of six, that is more than double the rate of population growth. (UN) • Irrigation is by far a largest water consumer using about 69 % of freshwater available for human uses in the world • Followed by industry using 23 % of available water. • Thus only 8% of all available fresh water for domestic use, i.e. about 220 l/person and day on the average for all people, remains for all other domestic uses.

4. WRC activities • WRC’s activities on was initiated in the early 80’s • It is during period that foresight and strategic planning emphasised the need for water conservation and demand management. • In a paradigm of supply driven approaches and the lucrative large dam schemes on the cards, this aspect received very little attention from the broader sector. • Against this background, the WRC persisted.

5. Optimum use of water in industrial sector • Compared to water usage in the other sectors, it is small. • Majority of the water is used in producing energy • Low usage, high polluter • WRC focus over the years has been to optimise usage and minimize pollution. • Early achievements include: • introducing concepts of dry cooling in the energy sector • NATSURV Series • Reuse concepts and technologies (Windhoek) • Introduction of technology and process optimisation tools • Wastewater treatment and reuse technology • Membrane systems.

6. New direction • Integrated approach to optimum use of water, energy and materials • Move away from end of pipe solutions • Effluents as resource and resource recovery. • Current research aims at supporting waste minimization and cleaner technologies which support optimum/sustainable usage. • Two thrust areas under KSA Water Use and waste Management • Wastewater Treatment and Reuse. • Industrial and Minewater Management. • Recent developments include pioneering WMClubs concepts in South Africa. • Pilot study in Ethekweni, has become catalyst of many other initiatives in the country.

7. Example of benefits from KZN Pilot and research on WMClubs • In total, 1 280 Ml of water was saved by 17 companies over the 3 years, leading to a reduction of 1 230 Ml of effluent discharged to drain • A total of 65.7 GWh of energy was saved by 10 companies over the 3 years, (with related savings in water and coal) • A total financial saving of R 18 million was made by 20 companies over the three years; • The majority of the savings were achieved through improved housekeeping practices (no- or low-cost); • A total of at least 878 people were capacitated through the project; • On average, savings accounted for between 2% and 5% of the annual turnover of the companies. • This year A National Cleaner Production Centre opened by government • WRC initiated 3 clubs, now there are 30 in the country

8. Optimum use in the domestic sector • The WRC introduced a number of studies to demonstrate and quantify inefficient use. Some of these include studies to determine: • Water use in high, medium and low income areas, down to the detail of quantifying water usage for bathing, brushing teeth, flushing, washing, lawns etc. • Introduction and development of technology to detect and determine water loss or leak detection • Piloting and demonstrating these technologies • Developing guidelines and strategies for WC/WDM • Education materials on Water Conservation for households

9. What has been the impact? • Limited application obtained over the period pre new Water Act. • Much of the knowledge gained over this period has contributed significantly to shaping the new Water Act and the Water Resources Strategy. • Data and information became important in shaping water legislation towards WC/WDM

10. Post new water legislation Development of the BABE concepts Development of suite of state of the art tools and guidelines SANFLOW ECONOLEAK BENCHLEAK PRESMAC South Africa regarded as leaders and concepts developed finding application internationally (USA, Australia, Far East, Africa, UN etc.) New impetus seeing greater application of research outputs in South Africa Water Loss management gaining importance and norm in the sector (JHB, Ethekweni, Cape Town, Kimberly, Odi Moretele)

11. Results of leakage management initiatives……. Formalised the concepts of leak management Emanates in the SABS Code of Practice 0132 Adopted in the Water Services Act and Norms and Standards ( includes the use of water efficient and saving devices) Requirement in terms of the WSDPs Sector application is happening…..

12. Way Ahead • Continue disseminate concepts and tools • Continue developing competency and capacity to achieve greater application • Huge opportunities for efficiency gains • More emphasis and importance needed at a national level • Further research into improving methods and tools to make water use and efficiency management more effective and applied.