Sustainex 2007 targets environmental protection and sustainable development

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According to Jo Melville, managing director of Exhibitions for Africa, the problems surrounding South Africa's wastewater facilities are severe, with the majority of small and medium size sewerage treatment plants in South Africa in trouble. She says that most of these also fail to comply with regulatory standards.

Bringing these issues to the table and in support of this sector, Exhibitions for Africa will host the inaugural Sustain 2007 exhibition, incorporating Afriwater, at the Sandton Convention Centre from 15-17 August 2007. The expo will bring together key stakeholders in this sector and will provide a knowledge sharing platform conducive to creating partnerships.

Said Melville: "Sustain 2007 - incorporating Afriwater, aims at showcasing equipment, technology, and services required for the protection of the environment and sustainable development. It will show that economic development can only be sustained if the environment and surrounding social structures are safeguarded."

A key player in this regard, the Water Institute of South Africa, (WISA), endorses Sustain 2007 and together with the Institute of Waste Management will be organising alongside the exhibition a conference aimed at getting the municipalities heavily involved. It is anticipated that about 1000 delegates involved in service delivery and clean water will attend.

Despite the challenges the country is facing, Dr Marlene van der Merwe-Botha, president of WISA, says: "Our country has excellent legislation, guidelines and standards on wastewater and water issues."

While Van der Merwe-Botha admits that the wastewater industry is facing one of the most challenging times in its existence, she emphasises that: "We must not forget that we are still regarded as a world leader in wastewater treatment."

Access to sanitation increased from 49% of households in 1994 to 63% in 2003.

Sustain 2007 will focus not only on water, but will also include the energy, earth and air sectors.

For more information contact Jo Melville, Exhibitions for Africa, +27 (0)11 886 3734, [email protected], www.sustainex.co.za

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Sustainex 2007 targets environmental protection and sustainable development

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