Water Institute for Mpumalanga

	Water Institute for Mpumalanga
	The launch of Water Institute of South Africa, Mpumalanga Branch took place at Ehlanzeni District Municipality on 07-08 June 2011. The Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) was formed in 1987 when the Southern African branch of the Institute Water Pollution Control, originally founded in 1937, was disbanded. To welcome the guests, the Chief Whip of EDM, Cllr Terrence Shabangu stood in on behalf of the Executive Mayor, Cllr Letta Shongwe, said: ”I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all guests, delegates and speakers present here. To the WISA president present here, and other esteemed guests, we welcome you in the province. We as the District, are privileged to be the host of the Provincial WISA launch. We feel special and honoured for being the first to host WISA members. We just had the Local Government Elections and this has kept both EDM Management and the Council’s Executive Mayor busy adhering to tight legal frames. The 1ST Council sitting for the District was recently on 02 June 2011,” said Cllr Shabangu. He also mentioned that the Executive Mayor and her Management are supportive of this initiative and said they had requested him to deliver special words of appreciation to the team who worked on this event. ”We, as the institution, welcome you all and invite your full participation during the two-day course and looking forward to work with WISA branch,” concluded Cllr Shabangu. The WISA President, Mr Anderson Mluleki Mancotywa delivered a key note address. “It is Indeed a great pleasure for me to be here in order to witness the launch of our Mpumalanga branch of the Water Institute of Southern Africa .Our country is faced with an increasing demand for water as more and more consumers are linked into the system. It must always be remembered that South Africa is a water scarce country and we therefore need to conserve and use this precious resource sparingly. “Service delivery in the water and sanitation sector, in both urban and rural areas, remains a top challenge at the local government level. More specifically, issues relating to rehabilitating and maintaining ageing infrastructure projects are priorities with water and wastewater quality issues, including water quality threats from acid mine drainage, surface pollution, etc, being high on the agenda, and I promise to respect water as a source of life, to be mindful of how to use water, and to preserve our water resources. I am for love of water,” said Mancotywa. At the beginning of 2000 WISA was incorporated under section 21 of the Company’s Act of 1973 as an association not for gain, with the objectives of the Institute are the promotion of and application of scientific and engineering knowledge and management skills in the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, investigation, research and education in connection with the natural and controlled water cycle. This will include, but will not be limited to the application of scientific, engineering and management skills to all or any hydrology, water resources, river management and flood alleviation, recreation, water supply and distribution, sewerage, sewage and industrial waste treatment, disposal and water pollution control. The activities of the institute shall be directed to the furtherance of such activities. Furthermore, it was explained that the mandate of the institution will be to encourage communication and a better understanding among scientists for: a) Engineering design, construction, operation, engineers, managers administrators and communities engaged in the search for and implementation of solutions for water related projects, and to encourage and facilitate the exchange of information relating to research and technology for:- b) Engineering design, construction, operation, control and management of all water and waste treatment systems including mining and industrial applications. c) Water quality management in the aquatic environment. d) Social, educational and managerial development. The objectives of the branch will be to advance the theory and practice of the management of water-related institutions. Seminars will be offered, conferences, workshops and …… to disseminate knowledge and information on all matters related to management of to we related institutions and organizations in South Africa, and collaborate with other professional and technical societies and other bodies having similar objectives. To also publish papers, pamphlets, books and information on the subject. The aim of WISA is to build expertise, share knowledge and to improve quality of life by providing platforms in Southern Africa, for the promotion, integration and application of scientific, engineering and management knowledge and skills in the water-sector through its publications, workshops, conferences and websites in all areas, including: The provisioning of water and treatment of effluent; The management of water infrastructure; The conservation of water; The development of skills. Presentation on the management of complex Wastewater discharges, the use of Municipal Assistance System to improve operation, maintenance and compliance, insight into the application of advanced oxidative method for biosorbent modification in waste water treatment application. Companies exhibited their products at the exhibition hall. ZMG-WATECH company explained their services as offering training, consulting, maintenance, dosing systems, chlorination systems, chemical treatment application, new technology trial, Run and appraal, laboratory services, water quality test equipment and water treatment plant. They also have chemical products, which are chlorine gas used as the most important disinfectant agent in water treatment, preventing the spread of water-borne diseases. Flawlants are used in a diverse range of solid separation processes across the water treatment industry. Lime is used in drinking and process water preparation, lime is mainly used for PH adjustment or water purification. The HTH products are for the disinfection of drinking water and swimming pools. Physical products exhibited were Jar stirrer, Turbidity TDS/ PH Meter, Chlorinators and laboratory services. Many companies displayed their products while networking took place.