SwaterWater
SwaterWater infrastructure and equipmentmaintenance: a strategic necessityProper maintenance of infrastructure and equipment is essential to prolong the usable life of these assets. With the rightstrategic approach, it also becomes a cost-effective solution.As municipalities face challenging economic times, they are requiredto get more out of their water infrastructure and equipment. Byextending replacement cycles for pumps, filters, mixers and othercomponents, the costs of replacements are deferred. However,without regular maintenance, this approach can backfire – leadingto underperformance, breakdowns and eventually, expensivecatastrophic failures that will necessitate replacement.“With water systems, under-maintenance invites trouble, butunnecessary scheduled maintenance has its own drawbacks. The keyis to strike a balance that ensures both longevity and cost-efficiency,”says Chetan Mistry, strategy and marketing manager at Xylem Africa.This balance is why more private and public water system managersare turning to preventative maintenance agreements (PMAs).Poor maintenance practicesguarantee failures and reduce the lifeof equipment.The maintenance conundrumWater infrastructure and equipment require regular upkeep. Forinstance, filters and tanks may need annual inspections, while othercomponents, though durable for several years, benefit from frequentchecks. General inspections are also critical to discovering emergingissues such as leaks or component wear.Despite its importance, maintenance is often seen as a grudgepurchase. It involves costs, disruptions and logistical headaches. Manysite managers adopt an “if it’s not broken don’t fix it” attitude towardsmaintenance to avoid these difficulties,which ultimately proves costly.Poor maintenance practices guarantee failures and reduce thelife of equipment. According to the Water Research Council, annualmaintenance of infrastructure like pipelines or pump stations cancost less than 1% of their replacement value. By contrast, poormaintenance can reduce a pump’s lifespan by 30% to 50%. Thecost of failure extends far beyond the direct cost of repair andreplacement of equipment and includes secondary impacts, such ascontamination and service interruptions. Underperforming watersystems pose significant risks, especially in industrial settings. Forexample, low water pressure can compromise fire prevention andfailed dewatering systems can endanger fragile areas.A suitable maintenance strategy needs to be adopted to ensurecost-effective, reliable operations. The shift away from reactivemaintenance (operate to fail) to condition-based maintenanceprovides owners of water infrastructure and pumping equipment anopportunity to reduce maintenance costs while extending the usablelifespan of their assets efficiently.Implementing such systems with limited resources and expertisecan become overwhelming. This is where PMAs stand out.How PMAs reduce costs and improve reliabilityA PMA is a supplier-managed solution that provides structured,cost-effective maintenance. A well-designed PMA offers numerousbenefits, including:• Predictable maintenance budgets• Detailed equipment status reports after each inspection• Priority service from authorised technicians• 24-hour emergency response guarantees• Unlimited telephone support• Extended warranty protection for equipmentOriginal equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are uniquely positionedto deliver high-value PMAs. By auditing a site’s equipment andtailoring maintenance plans to its budget and scope, OEMs can offersolutions that meet both operational and financial needs.PMAs save costs in three key ways:• Proactive issue resolution. By addressing potential problemsearly and using OEM replacement parts, PMAs reduce thelikelihood of failures.• Fewer site visits. With lower failure rates, inspection intervals aretailored to the equipment in use and the specific site conditions.• Access to skilled technicians. PMA clients benefit from experttechnicians who complete tasks efficiently, without incurringadditional costs for critical repairs or advanced workshop services.“Maintenance is resource-intensive, requiring staff, money and time,”explains Mistry. “While some tasks can be handled by on-site teams,they often have competing priorities. Unexpected or critical repairscan become prohibitively expensive. A PMA alleviates this burden,providing predictable costs and ensuring equipment up-time.”Leading OEMs have the expertise and resources to service thirdpartyequipment. This flexibility ensures that all systems on-siteremain productive, allowing staff to focus on other priorities whilemanagers maintain cost predictability and up-time.ConclusionA well-designed preventative maintenance agreement deliversvalue by ensuring water infrastructure and equipment remainsreliable and cost-effective. By planning for maintenance rather thanreacting to failures, municipalities can navigate economic challengeswith confidence, extending the life of their assets and avoidingcostly disruptions and service delivery challenges. When it comes tomaintaining water systems, the right PMA ensures equipment keepsdoing its job – efficiently, reliably, and within budget. S22 | Service magazine
waterSSecuring SA’s water future:Securing SA’s water future:why skills matter more than everSouth Africa’s water sector faces mounting challenges. Climate change, ageing infrastructure and rising demand arestraining resources. But fixing the problem isn’t just about upgrading infrastructure – it’s about ensuring we have skilledprofessionals to manage and sustain it.The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority(EWSETA) is committed to developing a skilled workforce to tacklethese issues. Through training programmes, industry partnerships andregulatory alignment, we aim to close the skills gap and to ensure thatwater security is a priority, not a privilege.Why skills matter in the water sectorSouth Africa’s National Water and Sanitation Master Plan warns ofa 17% water shortfall by 2030 if urgent action isn’t taken. The issueextends beyond water availability – it’s about management. Skilledprofessionals are essential for water conservation, distribution andtechnological advancements to prevent waste and inefficiencies.Currently, the country loses over R7-billion annually due to leaks andinfrastructure failures. Many municipalities struggle with a shortageof trained water professionals, and inefficient agricultural water useexacerbates the problem. Technology, from AI-driven leak detection tosmart water systems, presents solutions, but without trained specialists,implementation remains a challenge.Regulation 3630: a roadmap for water securityGovernment’s Regulation 3630 outlines four key principles forsustainable water management. EWSETA aligns its skills programmeswith these priorities, ensuring professionals are trained in conservation,distribution and emerging technologies.To stay competitive, South Africa must embrace AI-driven solutionsand digital water monitoring. Collaboration between government,industry and education is crucial to developing a pipeline of skilledprofessionals and maintaining workforce capacity.Business and industry: the case for investment in skillsFor industries reliant on water, addressing the skills gap is a necessity.Well-trained professionals can reduce operational costs and cutwater losses by up to 20%, saving billions. Companies must invest inAI-driven water management training to remain competitive and fulfilESG commitments.Businesses can partner with EWSETA to develop tailored trainingprogrammes, offer internships and collaborate on water-savingtechnologies. These efforts not only benefit companies but alsoreinforce South Africa’s position in sustainable water management.structured apprenticeships are scarce. Additionally, limited researchfunding hinders innovative water solutions.EWSETA is addressing these gaps through initiatives like thePoVE Water Management Project with Stellenbosch University, whichupdates curricula to meet industry needs. Municipal water trainingprogrammes equip TVET graduates with practical skills, whilebursary and apprenticeship schemes create career pathways for youngprofessionals, especially women in water science and engineering.Universities and colleges can further strengthen these effortsby working with EWSETA to develop new qualifications, expandapprenticeship opportunities and engage in industry-driven research.Government and municipalities: building capacityMunicipalities play a frontline role in water management but often lackskilled personnel. Without investment in training, South Africa facesan escalating water crisis. EWSETA ensures its programmes align withnational policies, including the National Water and Sanitation MasterPlan, which calls for 15 000 more skilled water professionals by 2030.The National Development Plan prioritises infrastructuredevelopment, while the green economy strategy underscores expertisein sustainable water solutions. Government can support these goalsby expanding municipal training programmes with EWSETA,introducing policy incentives for private sector investment in waterskills, and funding research to enhance service delivery.A call to action: building a water-secure future togetherWater security is everyone’s responsibility. The steps we take today intraining and education will determine South Africa’s water future.Industry leaders must invest in skills development, academia shouldcollaborate with EWSETA on advanced training and government mustprioritise workforce training.National Water Month is about more than awareness – it’s aboutaction. The time to invest in skills is now. SUniversities and TVET colleges: strengthening the talent pipelineAcademia must play a larger role in addressing skills shortages. Digitalwater management remains underrepresented in curricula andService magazine | 23
