BWUA Achieves Three Additional ISO Standards, Demonstrating Leadership In Energy, Asset Management And Community Sustainability

These achievements build on BWUA’s NOSA 5-Star Platinum Grading (CMB253), attained in December 2024, and existing certifications to ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management), ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management) and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety). This brings the Association’s total to seven recognised standards, a distinction that places BWUA among a rare group of organisations, and possibly the only one in its sector, to maintain six ISO standards alongside the NOSA Integrated Five Star System. Together, these seven standards demonstrate BWUA’s integrated approach to quality, safety, environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, asset management and community sustainability.

The independent audit verified that BWUA meets the requirements of ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management, which guides organisations in improving energy performance and reducing environmental impact. The audit confirmed BWUA’s strong progress in monitoring electricity usage, resetting pumps to operate outside Eskom peak times, phasing out unused chemicals and transitioning to solar energy solutions. Early tracking has already shown reduced diesel consumption, and clear objectives are in place to continue driving down usage.

For ISO 55001:2024 Asset Management, the auditors confirmed significant advances in asset tracking, from acquisition through to operational use. Developments include tagging and QR coding for all assets, from pumps to specialised equipment, using the SafetyCulture digital application to store inspection data and ensure that every asset is monitored, maintained and traceable.

The rare ISO 37101:2022 +A1:2024 Sustainable Development in Communities standard, which focuses on enhancing community quality of life, resilience and sustainability, was another area of success. BWUA achieved a level 3 maturity rating in its first-time assessment. The auditors praised BWUA’s school upgrade programme, noting its engagement with Traditional Authorities, School Governing Bodies and other key stakeholders to ensure sustainable, long-term benefits. They also recognised the indirect impact of BWUA’s work, such as creating healthier environments for teachers and learners.

The strength of BWUA’s systems was further recognised in July 2025 when the Association won the NOSA Northern Region Award for Best Integrated Five Star System in the Electricity, Gas and Water Supply sector for the second consecutive year. In the same month, BWUA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kobus Duvenhage, was named Managing Director of the Year (Full-Time HSE Function) for the Northern Region. These accolades acknowledge the Association’s building of a safety-first culture and the embedding of international best practice across the organisation.

Dr Duvenhage said, “To achieve compliance with three additional ISO standards, on top of our existing certifications and NOSA grading, is an extraordinary accomplishment. It demonstrates to our stakeholders, including funders and communities, that BWUA operates to world-class standards in every key area of our work. This gives us the credibility and operational resilience to deliver on our purpose of improving lives through water.”

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