by WISA | Sep 30, 2022 | General, Stakeholders
The Department is calling for comments on the Draft Bill for the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA). Cabinet endorsed the Draft Bill and approved that it be published for public comment, for a period of ninety (90) days. The Draft Bill was published in Government Gazette No. 46917 for public comment over a 90-day period, starting from the day of publication, 16 September 2022. Please clikc on the link to access the document: South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Bill – 2022. Please submit comments regarding the NWRIA Draft Bill to: nwria@dws.gov.za, for attention of: Thabelo Masevhe. The deadline for submission of comments is 14 December 2022. The Draft Bill can also be accessed on the DWS website.
by WISA | Aug 23, 2022 | Stakeholders
DWS Bursary Scheme 2023 WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE BURSARY? All learners that have passed Grade 12 and have been accepted at the 21 South African Institutions of Higher Learning within water related qualifications. CAN YOU QUALIFY FOR THE BURSARY IF YOU DID NOT APPLY AT ANY OF THE MENTIONED LEARNING INSTITUTIONS? No, you must apply in the listed Institutions of Higher Learning. WHEN WILL YOU KNOW THAT YOUR APPLICATION IS SUCCESSFUL? Successful applicants will be notified by November. A bursary pack will be forwarded to successful applicants. QUALIFYING UNIVERSITIES • University of Pretoria • University of Kwa-Zulu Natal • University of the Free State • University of Cape Town • University of Stellenbosch • University of the Western Cape • University of Limpopo • Nelson Mandela University • Walter Sisulu University • Tshwane University of Technology • Durban University of Technology • University of Witwatersrand • University of Johannesburg • University of Zululand • Rhodes University • University of Fort Hare • North West University • University of Mpumalanga • Sol Plaatje University Central University of Technology • Cape Peninsula University of Technology • University of Venda • Vaal University of Technology THE FOLLOWING FIELDS OF STUDY ARE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING, DEPENDING ON ANNUAL NEEDS ANALYSIS IN DEPARTMENT WATER AND SANITATION. REFER TO APPLICATION FORM FOR THIS YEAR’S QUALIFICATIONS: Analytical Chemistry – Aquatic Sciences – Biochemistry – Project Management – Environmental Management Environmental Science – Geo-chemistry – Geographical information Systems – Water Care – Water Resource Management Water Utilization – Geo-hydrology – Geology – Hydrology Microbiology Engineering: – Civil Engineering – Electrical Engineering…
by WISA | May 12, 2022 | General, Stakeholders
Draft SANS 241: 202X Drinking Water Standard is now available for public comment Please click on the link below to register to obtain a copy of the draft regulation. https://www.sabs.co.za/Standards-Development/draft/comment_form%20-%20draft.asp?DSSNo=SANS%20241%20Ed%207&Download=SANS241ED7_TC147_DSS_1.pdf Please note that the closing date for comments is 26 June 2022. We would encourage the sector to have their say in setting the standard!
by WISA | Apr 1, 2022 | General, Stakeholders
Click on the images alongside to download the relevant report. Minister for Water and Sanitation: Mr Senzo Mchunu “It gives me pleasure to present this 2022 Green Drop report. The President announced the relaunch of the Green Drop Certification programme in his State of the Nation Address, and we are pleased to have delivered on this commitment. We recognised that as a flagship project, this incentive-based regulation programme has the power to mobilise the wastewater sector on a path to improvement. Wastewater management and sanitation are paramount to the dignity of our people and integrity of the environment and it is therefore important that we strive for excellence in these fields. Even though the Green Drop programme has been at the centre of much of the improvement in the sector over the years and has brought about change and reignited the passion amongst our wastewater specialists, the results of this report serves as a scientifically calculated indicator that there is still a mammoth task ahead of us. It remains unacceptable that sewage spillages and failing wastewater treatment works are detrimentally impacting our environment as well as the livelihood and health of many of our communities on a daily basis in the year 2022. It is of great concern that there are so many systems with scores below 31%, indicating a dismal state of wastewater management, posing a risk to both environment and public health. We are therefore making the call to political, public and private leadership to declare their commitment to use this report as the turning point towards sustainable improvement, because everyone can make a difference within their sphere…
by WISA | Mar 1, 2022 | Stakeholders
JG Afrika, a proudly South African consulting engineering firm is celebrating 100 years of engineering and environmental excellence. This significant milestone bears testament to the skills, experience, dedication, and passion of a strong team of people who are committed to JG Afrika’s core values of ‘Experience’, ‘Quality’ and ‘Integrity’. The company was first founded in Johannesburg in 1922 and was formally known as Jeffares & Green and has since grown into a leading multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental consultancy operating locally and internationally. “I am exceptionally proud of this accomplishment as it demonstrates the sustainability of our business. There are only a few South African companies and now only two local engineering firms to have reached this milestone. Over the years, we have survived a world war, many far-reaching changes in government and its ideologies and, more recently, a pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the global economy. We have always been quick to adapt to change and emerge stronger than before,” Paul Olivier, Managing Director of JG Afrika, says. The company’s proud legacy was started by John L.S. Jeffares when he established JLS Jeffares Consulting Practice in Johannesburg. Jeffares was shortly awarded an OBE to pioneer a railway route from Victoria Falls to Walvis Bay. Five years later he was joined by Harold (Hal) H. Green and together they undertook work throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including the hydrological study and access roads for Kariba Dam. In 1947, they formed a partnership, and the name Jeffares & Green was used for the first time. Throughout the years the firm continued to progress and evolve and in 2016 Jeffares & Green rebranded to…
by WISA | Feb 7, 2022 | General
The latest advertising rate card can be downloaded below. WISA 2022 Advertising Rate Card WISA Advertising Rate Card 2022
by WISA | Dec 10, 2021 | General
WISA wishes all its members and water sector professionals a safe and happy holiday season, with the very best wishes for the New Year! The WISA Head Office will be closed from 16 December 2021 and will be open again on 6 January 2022. We look forward to ‘building back better’ in 2022! Any urgent membership queries can be directed to membership@wisa.org.za
by WISA | Oct 19, 2021 | Branches and Divisions, General, Membership
The recent 7 October 2021 WISA Impact Seminar “Water Reuse, Recycling & Reclamation in South Africa” provided a current overview on the hot topic of water reuse in South Africa. Thirteen presentations from local and international experts explored different water reuse and recycling applications, cutting edge research and technology development. The seminar highlighted the multiple dimensions of water re-use including water quality and risk management, health risks, public acceptance and support, emerging contaminants and monitoring and technology validation. Water re-use in urban, agricultural, industry and mining applications for both potable and non-potable uses was profiled, emphasizing the breadth of the sector and the range of skills involved. The bright present and promising future of water reuse: seminar insights Chris Swartz kicked off the event by setting the scene of the past, the present and the future of water re-use in South Africa. His presentation tracked the small beginnings of the water re-use sector in the 60s, which centered on research and pilot scale activities, to the increasing attention since 2005 and some current examples in Cape Town and the mining sector. The presentation concluded that the future of water re-use will be rooted in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and will focus on evolving monitoring systems, training of personnel, implementing self-regulating programs and developing public private partnerships, amongst other. Dr Kevin Winter inspired attendees with a vision for how contaminated water from informal settlements could be re-used, with his presentation on work at the site of the Water Hub in Franschhoek. He provided an overview of using nature-based treatment in the form of six large vegetated and unvegetated biofiltration cells constructed…
by WISA | Oct 1, 2021 | General
COVID-19 has heightened awareness of the vital role of water and sanitation in dealing with various complex societal challenges including pandemics. Access to clean water and proper sanitation is vital during the current pandemic. Lack of clean water for drinking and proper hygienic practices have become a major concern for our society. Among the many consequences of the ongoing pandemic is its dramatic impact on the education sector. The current evolving global pandemic will undeniably have an impact on how we educate and train our water professionals with possible future implications. Water professionals are facing increasing pressure from society to demonstrate clear and tangible results as we continue to face new and more difficult water and sanitation related challenges. Clearly, we need newer, more powerful approaches to water and sanitation – business as usual is not a viable option. IIE qualifications offered at IIE MSA are designed to meet the challenges of such contemporary water and sanitation related issues. The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Water Management and IIE Master of Philosophy in Integrated Water Management are targeted at professionals and graduates who wish to strengthen and deepen their interdisciplinary skills and knowledge in water management. These programmes enable students to appreciate an interdisciplinary approach, which is relatively new and unique, to managing water resources and sanitation services. Programme participants are nurtured to become effective water leaders equipped to understand complex societal challenges and to develop practical solutions for water and sanitation problems. A unique feature of the programmes is a special focus on knowledge integration and application through the use of problem-based learning activities. The programmes integrate knowledge and skills…
