Demand for water in Africa is on the rise but so are treated water losses, owing to the major deterioration of infrastructure over many years of use. The continent cannot afford to lose the current volume of nonrevenue water it does daily, says Gauteng valve manufacturer AVK Southern Africa.

The company has seen Africa grasp onto its new “Day/Night” pressure-reducing 869 control valve to save water and secure revenue since its launch in July last year, says AVK Southern Africa group control valve specialist Craig Barbeito.

“Water is life and without the 869 controlling various aspects in networks, there are going to be greater losses in the long term.”

More than 70 “Day/Night” 869 control valves have been supplied into Africa to date, with the most recent order successfully supplied to a Malawian water board.

It is just a matter of time before AVK breaks through to the local water boards and municipalities, highlights Barbeito.

While still in the early stages of its uptake, the 869 control valve most definitely made some contribution to AVK‘s final figures to win the 2023 South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) Exporter of the Year Award, he notes.

The company was named Exporter of the Year in the medium size company category, based on turn over.

“Our clients value the importance of the commitment, dedication and service required to excel in a very volatile export marketplace and we share this win with them. This award is truly a beacon of hope and affirmation that we will continue to push the boundaries and continue to grow and compete towards being acknowledged again later this year at the prestigious SACEEC event,” emphasises AVK Southern Africa group technical manager Julius Frauendorf.

He adds that despite the headwinds faced by local manufacturers, such as the highest level of loadshedding on record, AVK remains committed to continuing to provide its clients in Africa, the UK, the Middle East and Australia with the highest level of training, quality and reliability.

More on Series 869

With the introduction of its 869 control valve, AVK has developed a valve that enables water networks to have a high set pressure during peak hours and a lower set pressure during off-peak times. This functionality is controlled by a timer which can be set to switch from high to low pressure at three different times a day, every day of the week.

Introduced as part of AVK’s Network Safety Solutions offering, the control valves are part of the full range of valves required in a water network to prevent challenges faced by water network operators globally, advises Barbeito.
 

“AVK’s 869 control valve is inspired by the ever-growing need to conserve our precious water supply and reduce the loss of revenue by controlling pressure and reducing the risk of burst pipes. Once adjusted to a set point, the valve will automatically secure the required pressure in the water system and maintain this pressure.

“A replaceable spring inside the pilot makes it possible to operate at various pressures and retain high precision. Setting and adjusting the 869 to the required pressure is also simple,” he explains.

AVK offers 11 variants of the 869 control valve that have different control functions within a water network.

“These various functions help to protect equipment and pipelines by managing water levels, controlling pressures and controlling flow rates. These are all critical aspects of water supply and demand,” states Barbeito.

The 869 comprises 58% local content through AVK Southern Africa’s assembly and testing. The main valve body is manufactured at AVK’s Anhui factory and the control components are manufactured by AVK’s ACMO factory in Italy, adhering to the company’s strict standards and quality assurance.

“AVK supports local manufacturing and strives to have the main valve body for the Series 869 control valve cast in South Africa in the future,” advises Barbeito.

The 869 control valve is constructed using UK Water Regulations Approval Scheme-approved materials which ensure that it can be safely used for drinking water.