Midrand, South Africa — In South Africa, 47 percent of plumbing components do not comply with national regulations, and according to a University of Johannesburg researcher, the import and sale of noncompliant fittings — and the difficulties that lie in the control of this practice — are partly to blame, according to a June 1 WaterTec Africa 2009 press release.

WaterTec Africa, the International Water Technology Exhibition and Conference: Water and Waste Water Management – Challenges & Solutions, was scheduled to open June 9 and run through June 11 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. The event, co-located with Pumps, Valves & Pipes Africa, is endorsed by the Water Institute of Southern Africa and focused on the water infrastructure, liquids and pipelines industries.

According to the release, Kaluka Paul Lobanga, a multidisciplinary engineer at the University of Johannesburg, found that another factor contributing to the problem is the skills shortage and lack of knowledge in South Africa’s plumbing industry: Many “plumbers” have not been trained and employ unskilled labor.

The study also found that poor-quality imported products negatively affect the local market.

Lobanga is scheduled to present his findings, “The Extent and Impact of Non-Compliant Plumbing Fittings in South Africa,” on June 9 during the conference portion of WaterTec Africa.

For information on the event, click here.

For related information, click here.