Institute of Plumbing of South Africa (IOPSA)-registered plumbers are increasingly diversifying into the water-purification and filtration installation market. This is as concerns regarding the quality of municipal water supplies in certain areas of the country continue to grow and South African property owners become more aware of the risk of waterborne diseases. Certainly, fuelling concerns regarding water quality among property owners are incidences such as the recent cholera outbreak. By June 2023, more than 40 people had died from the disease, with the majority of confirmed cholera cases reported in three Gauteng districts.
Previously providing low growth potential, South Africa’s water purifiers market is expected to grow to US$540 million by 2025. This is a trend that is also being driven by severe droughts in some parts of the country. For example, there was a marked increase in demand for these technologies in Cape Town when it was experiencing the driest period in its history. This is considering the negative impacts that droughts also have on the quality of water due to reduced dilution; higher water temperatures; and increased salinity.
IOPSA Technical Manager, Steve van Zyl, explains that water filters strain water with a membrane or other filtration material to remove large particles and impurities.
“Generally, property owners consult with IOPSA-registered plumbers about their filtration requirements when their water has an odour; is hazy; tastes poorly; and isn’t flowing properly. Water contaminated with heavy metals, minerals and chemicals can also damage appliances, such as dishwashers, washers and hot water systems, as well as plumbing systems. Therefore, appliances and plumbing that have to be replaced prematurely are also signs of water quality issues on a property. IOPSA-registered plumbers are able to advise on the type of technology that best suits their clients’ specific applications. In some instances, all that may be required are carbon countertop filters that can be easily moved from one area to the next quickly and easily. However, there may be circumstances that warrant the use of point-of-use systems. Installed at specific taps under sinks, they are more efficient than the latter, providing a reliable supply of fresh, drinkable water. Some property owners have even opted for whole-house filters because they have many different points of use and the water quality issues on their premises warrant such an investment,” Van Zyl says.
There are two typical types of under-sink and whole-house water filters, namely reverse osmosis and ion exchange.
Reverse osmosis systems use a property’s water pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane. This action removes up to 99% of salt ions, detergents, lead, fluoride, molecules, bacteria and other contaminants from water.
Ion exchange filters turn water from hard to soft by attracting and trapping magnesium and calcium in water via a tank filled with sodium beads. These are then replaced with safer and undetectable sodium ions.
Irrespective of the type of technology deployed, Van Zyl advises to always use an IOPSA-registered plumber when installing an under-sink or whole house filtration system. The latter, in particular, is a complex system to install requiring specialist plumbing skills to do so.
“These installations have a direct bearing on the overall quality of your drinking water. It has to comply with the South African National Standard 241 Drinking Water Specification as determined by the Department of Water and Sanitation; National Department of Health; and the South African Bureau of Standards to safeguard occupants of a building. Notably, this standard explicitly states that only a qualified plumber may work on a water line in a building, irrespective of its size. Attempting to install the filtration system yourself or appointing an unlicensed plumber to do so could contaminate your drinking and cooking water supplies, placing the health and safety of occupants at risk. Of course, there is also the probability that the system will be deemed unusable by a building inspector. If this happens, the premises has to vacated until such time that the installation has been corrected and approved by the authorities,” Van Zyl says.
An IOPSA-registered plumber will also only use quality materials that have been tested by trained professionals to ensure that they are fit-for-purpose. These tests also affirm that the materials used in the installation do not contain any harmful substances that could leach into the drinking water and, therefore, contaminate it.
Notably, IOPSA members are also trained to properly maintain these systems.
They know how to change dirty filters, which allow chemicals and heavy metals to enter drinking water.
Cold spores also grow on moist and warm filters that are not cleaned or replaced when advised to do so by the manufacturer of the system. Exposure to this mould can make residents ill, which includes allergic reactions.
Clogs can also occur in the aerator when sediments accumulate in a filter, preventing water from coming out of the tap. This will result in an increase in the water pressure in the pipe and fixture. If the water pressure rises to a very high level, it could cause a pipe to burst which can also result in further damage to property.
IOPSA-registered plumbers will also inspect the filters for bacterial plaques. They know which treatments to use to dissolve the buildup of sediments in the aerator and filter, as well as how to disinfect a filter. Older systems may even have to be replaced entirely.
“There are many other reasons for installing water purification and filtration, other than concerns about the quality of water in the country. Environmentally conscious consumers may no longer want to buy bottled water because of the contribution it makes towards the plastic footprint. It is estimated that about 1-million plastic bottles are sold worldwide every minute. Less than half of these bottles are recycled properly and, therefore, end up in our oceans. Some consumers are also motivated by the cost savings that they will realise by no longer having to buy bottled water because they now have a supply of high-quality water on tap. Less soap is also required to bath and clean dishes and clothes because a water filtration system acts as water softener. Hard water contains minerals that prevent the ionic action of soap, reducing its ability to clean. Moreover, washing your clothes with water that contains less sediment, chemicals and minerals will preserve them for longer. However, whatever the reason for deciding to use water filtration, reduce your risk by consulting known experts in the field. IOPSA provides the quickest route to a qualified plumber!” Van Zyl concludes.