Optimum use of water in the Optimum use of water in the domestic and industrial domestic and industrial

sectorssectors

JN BhagwanJN Bhagwan

Distribution of Global WaterDistribution of Global Water

• Salt water 97.5% & Fresh water 2.5%Salt water 97.5% & Fresh water 2.5%

• Freshwater distributed as follows :Freshwater distributed as follows :– 0.3% Lakes and river flows0.3% Lakes and river flows– 29% groundwater29% groundwater– 0.9% soil moisture, ground ice, swamp water0.9% soil moisture, ground ice, swamp water– 69% Glaciers and snow (from P Glieck 1993)69% Glaciers and snow (from P Glieck 1993)

• One third of population live in water One third of population live in water stressed environments.stressed environments.

How bad is the water crisis?How bad is the water crisis?

• Between 1900 and 1995 water use in the world Between 1900 and 1995 water use in the world has increased by a factor of six, that is more has increased by a factor of six, that is more than double the rate of population growth. (UN)than double the rate of population growth. (UN)

• Irrigation is by far a largest water consumer Irrigation is by far a largest water consumer using about 69 % of freshwater available for using about 69 % of freshwater available for human uses in the worldhuman uses in the world

• Followed by industry using 23 % of available Followed by industry using 23 % of available water. water.

• Thus only 8% of all available fresh water for Thus only 8% of all available fresh water for domestic use, i.e. about 220 l/person and day domestic use, i.e. about 220 l/person and day on the average for all people, remains for all on the average for all people, remains for all other domestic uses.other domestic uses.

WRC activitiesWRC activities

• WRC’s activities on was WRC’s activities on was initiated in the early 80’sinitiated in the early 80’s

• It is during period that It is during period that foresight and strategic foresight and strategic planning emphasised the planning emphasised the need for water conservation need for water conservation and demand management.and demand management.

• In a paradigm of supply In a paradigm of supply driven approaches and the driven approaches and the lucrative large dam schemes lucrative large dam schemes on the cards, this aspect on the cards, this aspect received very little attention received very little attention from the broader sector.from the broader sector.

• Against this background, the Against this background, the WRC persisted. WRC persisted.

Optimum use of water in Optimum use of water in industrial sectorindustrial sector• Compared to water usage in the other sectors, it is Compared to water usage in the other sectors, it is

small.small.• Majority of the water is used in producing energyMajority of the water is used in producing energy• Low usage, high polluterLow usage, high polluter• WRC focus over the years has been to optimise usage WRC focus over the years has been to optimise usage

and minimize pollution.and minimize pollution.• Early achievements include:Early achievements include:

– introducing concepts of dry cooling in the energy sectorintroducing concepts of dry cooling in the energy sector– NATSURV SeriesNATSURV Series– Reuse concepts and technologies (Windhoek)Reuse concepts and technologies (Windhoek)– Introduction of technology and process optimisation toolsIntroduction of technology and process optimisation tools– Wastewater treatment and reuse technologyWastewater treatment and reuse technology– Membrane systems.Membrane systems.

New direction New direction

• Integrated approach to optimum use of water, energy Integrated approach to optimum use of water, energy and materialsand materials

• Move away from end of pipe solutionsMove away from end of pipe solutions• Effluents as resource and resource recovery.Effluents as resource and resource recovery.• Current research aims at supporting waste Current research aims at supporting waste

minimization and cleaner technologies which support minimization and cleaner technologies which support optimum/sustainable usage.optimum/sustainable usage.– Two thrust areas under KSA Water Use and waste ManagementTwo thrust areas under KSA Water Use and waste Management

• Wastewater Treatment and Reuse.Wastewater Treatment and Reuse.• Industrial and Minewater Management.Industrial and Minewater Management.

• Recent developments include pioneering WMClubs Recent developments include pioneering WMClubs concepts in South Africa.concepts in South Africa.

• Pilot study in Ethekweni, has become catalyst of many Pilot study in Ethekweni, has become catalyst of many other initiatives in the country.other initiatives in the country.

Example of benefits from KZN Example of benefits from KZN Pilot and research on WMClubsPilot and research on WMClubs• In total, 1 280 Ml of water was saved by 17 companies over 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 the 3 years, leading to a reduction of 1 230 Ml of effluent discharged to draindischarged to drain

• A total of 65.7 GWh of energy was saved by 10 companies A total of 65.7 GWh of energy was saved by 10 companies over the 3 years, (with related savings in water and coal)over the 3 years, (with related savings in water and coal)

• A total financial saving of R 18 million was made by 20 A total financial saving of R 18 million was made by 20 companies over the three years;companies over the three years;

• The majority of the savings were achieved through The majority of the savings were achieved through improved housekeeping practices (no- or low-cost);improved housekeeping practices (no- or low-cost);

• A total of at least 878 people were capacitated through the A total of at least 878 people were capacitated through the project;project;

• On average, savings accounted for between 2% and 5% of On average, savings accounted for between 2% and 5% of the annual turnover of the companies.the annual turnover of the companies.

• This year A National Cleaner Production Centre opened by This year A National Cleaner Production Centre opened by governmentgovernment

• WRC initiated 3 clubs, now there are 30 in the countryWRC initiated 3 clubs, now there are 30 in the country

Optimum use in the domestic Optimum use in the domestic sectorsector

• The WRC introduced a number The WRC introduced a number of studies to demonstrate and of studies to demonstrate and quantify inefficient use. Some quantify inefficient use. Some of these include studies to of these include studies to determine:determine:– Water use in high, medium and Water use in high, medium and

low income areas, down to the low income areas, down to the detail of quantifying water usage detail of quantifying water usage for bathing, brushing teeth, for bathing, brushing teeth, flushing, washing, lawns etc.flushing, washing, lawns etc.

– Introduction and development of Introduction and development of technology to detect and technology to detect and determine water loss or leak determine water loss or leak detectiondetection

– Piloting and demonstrating Piloting and demonstrating these technologiesthese technologies

– Developing guidelines and Developing guidelines and strategies for WC/WDMstrategies for WC/WDM

– Education materials on Water Education materials on Water Conservation for householdsConservation for households

What has been the impact?What has been the impact?• Limited application Limited application

obtained over the obtained over the period pre new Water period pre new Water Act.Act.

• Much of the knowledge Much of the knowledge gained over this period gained over this period has contributed has contributed significantly to shaping significantly to shaping the new Water Act and the new Water Act and the Water Resources the Water Resources Strategy.Strategy.

• Data and information Data and information became important in became important in shaping water shaping water legislation towards legislation towards WC/WDMWC/WDM

Post new water legislationPost new water legislation• Development of the BABE Development of the BABE

conceptsconcepts• Development of suite of state Development of suite of state

of the art tools and guidelinesof the art tools and guidelines– SANFLOWSANFLOW– ECONOLEAKECONOLEAK– BENCHLEAKBENCHLEAK– PRESMACPRESMAC

• South Africa regarded as South Africa regarded as leaders and concepts leaders and concepts developed finding application developed finding application internationally (USA, Australia, internationally (USA, Australia, Far East, Africa, UN etc.)Far East, Africa, UN etc.)

• New impetus seeing greater New impetus seeing greater application of research outputs application of research outputs in South Africain South Africa

• Water Loss management Water Loss management gaining importance and norm gaining importance and norm in the sector (JHB, Ethekweni, in the sector (JHB, Ethekweni, Cape Town, Kimberly, Odi Cape Town, Kimberly, Odi Moretele)Moretele)

Results of leakage Results of leakage management initiatives…….management initiatives…….

Formalised the concepts of leak managementFormalised the concepts of leak management

Emanates in the SABS Code of Practice 0132Emanates in the SABS Code of Practice 0132

Adopted in the Water Services Act and Norms and Adopted in the Water Services Act and Norms and Standards ( includes the use of water efficient and Standards ( includes the use of water efficient and

saving devices)saving devices)

Requirement in terms of the WSDPsRequirement in terms of the WSDPs

Sector application is happening…..Sector application is happening…..

Way AheadWay Ahead• Continue disseminate Continue disseminate

concepts and toolsconcepts and tools• Continue developing Continue developing

competency and capacity competency and capacity to achieve greater to achieve greater applicationapplication

• Huge opportunities for Huge opportunities for efficiency gains efficiency gains

• More emphasis and More emphasis and importance needed at a importance needed at a national levelnational level

• Further research into Further research into improving methods and improving methods and tools to make water use tools to make water use and efficiency management and efficiency management more effective and applied.more effective and applied.