Water security is an issue across the world. But the future of water in South Africa needs African solutions.
We can turn the problem into an opportunity. As we deal with the issue, we can create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and reduce the need for imports.
The future of water may well be, Plastic.
Water infrastructure that works
According to South Africa’s Water Research Commission, 36.8% of our Municipal water is lost to leakage. To put that into perspective, the water loss from leakage is approaching 2 trillion litres of water each year.
When our infrastructure works better, our local industry works better. Water stoppages for households and for local businesses disrupt our growing South African economy. We have the solution right here. HDPE high-pressure piping with Safripol iMPACT100® inside means we can replace rusting piping with leak-resistant, anti-corrosive piping that is designed to last for over fifty years (research has shown that it can last as long as 100 years). It’s piping that works and piping that creates work for local manufacturers and for the teams needed to install the new piping.
Growing African Agriculture
By being smarter, we can use plastic products to grow healthier food at a better rate of production. Plastic mulch film regulates the temperature of growing plants, as does plastic shade netting.
Agriculture consumes up to 60% of South Africa’s water, mostly through irrigation. Today, there are smarter ways to irrigate so that we are much more efficient in our water use.
Drip irrigation systems save water by delivering water directly to the plant root zone at a slow, controlled rate, minimizing evaporation and runoff, which means the plants receive precisely the amount of water they need, resulting in significant water conservation compared to traditional irrigation methods like sprinklers.
Run-off pipes also successfully collect and channel excess water, preventing wastage.
When we employ this plastic technology, we ensure the viability of commercial farms in volatile economic climates. The products that make these farms viable also continue to employ workers.
The Future of Water is
In our hands. By making the most of the opportunities and solutions that plastic can provide.
From HDPE piping that reduces the waste of municipal water to more efficient use of water in agriculture to better protect our environment, Safripol aims to be at the forefront of water sustainability, with locally produced solutions to our issues, including infrastructure.
Saving our water is another example of how plastic is good when we’re good with plastic.
www.safripol.com