Water-fed pole (WFP) systems change how you clean windows above two storeys. Instead of climbing ladders with a squeegee, you scrub and rinse from the ground using purified water pumped through a telescopic pole. The water dries spot-free because it contains zero minerals.

This guide covers how WFP systems work in South Africa, what equipment you need, and what to expect in terms of setup and running costs. If you’re already familiar with traditional window cleaning equipment in South Africa, this is the next step for high-reach or solar panel work.

How Water-Fed Pole Systems Work

A WFP system has three components: a water purification system, a pump, and a pole with a brush head. Tap water flows through filters to remove all dissolved minerals. The pump pushes this pure water up the pole to the brush. You scrub the glass, rinse with pure water, and move on. No toweling, no squeegee work.

The reason it dries spot-free is simple: tap water leaves spots because of dissolved minerals (calcium, magnesium, silicates). Remove those minerals and the water evaporates clean. This is measured in TDS—total dissolved solids—in parts per million (ppm). Tap water in South Africa typically runs 80–300 ppm. Your WFP output needs to be below 10 ppm, ideally 0–5 ppm.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) vs Deionization (DI)

Two filtration methods are used to purify water: reverse osmosis and deionization. Most systems use both in sequence.

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

RO systems force water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure. The membrane blocks 95–98% of dissolved solids. What passes through is nearly pure; the rejected water (concentrate) goes to waste. An RO system producing 200 litres of pure water per day wastes roughly 400–600 litres, depending on source water TDS and membrane condition.

RO is cost-effective for ongoing use because membranes last 2–3 years and pre-filters are cheap. If your source water is above 100 ppm TDS—common in Gauteng, parts of the Western Cape, and the Free State—RO is essential.

Deionization (DI)

DI resin exchanges mineral ions for hydrogen and hydroxide ions, producing chemically pure water. Resin is highly effective but has a finite capacity—it exhausts based on how many dissolved solids it processes. One litre of mixed-bed DI resin costs R250 and typically produces 750–1,000 litres of pure water from 50 ppm source water. From 200 ppm source water, expect closer to 200–300 litres per litre of resin.

DI-only systems make sense in low-TDS areas (Garden Route, some KZN coastal suburbs, parts of Cape Town) or as a “polishing” stage after RO. The 21-litre mobile DI tank (R3,818) holds enough resin for several weeks of light residential work if your source water is under 50 ppm.

RO + DI Combination

This is the standard professional setup. RO reduces TDS from 200+ ppm down to 10–20 ppm. DI resin then polishes the output to 0 ppm. Because the DI stage only handles 10–20 ppm instead of 200+ ppm, your resin lasts 10–20 times longer. This combination is the most economical for daily commercial use in high-TDS areas.

Choosing Pole Length: 6m vs 9m

Pole length determines your maximum reach. Both options collapse to around 2 metres for transport.

6-metre poles are ideal for single and double-storey homes, most residential solar panel installations, and shopfronts. Fully extended with arm reach, you’re working at about 8 metres. The 6m fibreglass pole (R6,195) is lighter and less fatiguing than aluminium for all-day work.

9-metre poles reach third-storey windows and commercial rooftop solar arrays. Total reach is around 11 metres with arm extension. The 9m fibreglass pole (R7,800) is essential if you’re targeting larger properties or commercial contracts. Aluminium versions exist but fibreglass is strongly recommended at this length for rigidity and weight.

Complete Kits vs Individual Components

If you’re starting from scratch, the plug-and-play kits are the fastest route.

Complete WFP Kits

The 6-metre waterfed pole kit (R12,170) includes a 6m aluminium pole with brush, a battery-powered pump with charger, and a 198-litre-per-day RO system with all filters. Connect to a tap, charge the battery, and you’re operational. This kit suits residential window cleaners and small-scale solar panel maintenance.

The 9-metre waterfed pole kit (R13,890) is identical but includes a 9m pole. Choose this if you’re targeting triple-storey properties or commercial solar arrays from the start.

Building Your Own System

If you already have a water source or want to customize, buy components separately:

• Pole: 6m fibreglass (R6,195) or 9m fibreglass (R7,800). Both include brush, 20m hose, and angle adapter.
• Pump: Battery-powered mobile pump (R3,600). Runs 7 hours per charge; 15-litre capacity empties in 30 minutes of continuous use.
• Filtration: 198L/day RO system (R3,800) for stationary setups. For higher volume, the 1030L/day system is also available.
• DI resin: R250 per litre. Buy 10–20 litres to start if you’re using RO + DI.

For mobile commercial work, the 9000L/day RO trolley (R14,830) produces 4–6 litres per minute using municipal water pressure—no battery required. It’s a professional-grade mobile rig for high-volume work.

South African Considerations: Hard Water, Load-Shedding & Spares

Hard Water in Gauteng and the Free State

TDS levels in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein often exceed 200 ppm. RO filtration is mandatory here. A DI-only system would exhaust resin within days and cost far more to operate. Budget for RO membrane replacement every 2–3 years (around R600–R800) and pre-filter changes every 3–6 months (R150–R300 for a set).

Load-Shedding Workarounds

Stationary RO systems need mains power. If you’re producing water overnight and storing it in tanks, this isn’t an issue. For daytime production during load-shedding, you need either an inverter setup or the battery-powered mobile pump paired with pre-filled containers of RO water. The trolley system that runs on municipal pressure (no electricity) is another option.

Spares Availability

Pole sections, brush heads, and hose connections are standardized. Replacement brushes and hose are readily available. RO membranes and pre-filters are stocked locally; delivery takes 3–5 days nationwide. Keep one spare set of pre-filters on hand to avoid downtime.

Maintenance Schedule

Weekly: Rinse pole sections and brush head. Check hose connections for leaks.

Monthly: Test output TDS. If above 10 ppm, check RO membrane and DI resin levels. Clean pre-filters if water pressure drops.

Every 3–6 months: Replace pre-filters. Inspect pump battery condition.

Every 2–3 years: Replace RO membrane. Refresh DI resin fully.

A TDS meter (around R150–R300 online) is essential. Test your source water and output water weekly. Output should stay at 0–5 ppm for perfect results.

Cost Breakdown

Startup (residential focus):

• 6m complete kit: R12,170
• TDS meter: R200
• Spare pre-filters: R250
• Total: R12,620

Startup (commercial focus):

• 9m fibreglass pole: R7,800
• Mobile pump: R3,600
• 1030L/day RO system: R3,800
• DI resin (20L): R5,000
• 21L DI tank: R3,818
• TDS meter: R200
• Total: R24,218

Running costs (per month, moderate use):

• Water usage: Negligible (most goes to waste during RO, but cost is low)
• Electricity: R50–R100 for RO pump
• Pre-filters (amortized): R100
• DI resin (if RO+DI, amortized): R150–R300
• Total monthly: R300–R500

When Does a WFP System Pay for Itself?

If you’re charging R1,500–R2,500 per double-storey home or R2,000–R4,000 for solar panel cleaning on a large residential array, the system pays for itself in 5–10 jobs. Speed and safety are the real benefits: you can clean a double-storey home in 45 minutes from the ground instead of 90+ minutes with ladders.

For solar panel contracts, WFP is the only practical method. Panels need gentle scrubbing and spot-free rinsing without walking on roofs. A commercial solar cleaning business doing 3–4 properties per week will recover the investment within the first month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between RO and DI for window cleaning?
RO removes 95–98% of dissolved minerals using a membrane and pressure. DI removes 100% using resin but the resin exhausts based on TDS processed. Use RO for high-TDS areas and DI as a polishing stage or standalone in low-TDS areas.

Can I use tap water without filtration?
Only if your TDS is below 10 ppm, which is extremely rare in South Africa. Test your tap water with a TDS meter. Anything above 10 ppm will leave mineral spots as it dries.

Which pole length do I need for a double-storey home?
A 6-metre pole reaches most double-storey windows comfortably. It extends to 6 metres; add 2 metres for your arm and the brush, giving you about 8 metres total reach.

How long does DI resin last?
Depends on your source water TDS. From 50 ppm water, one litre of resin produces 750–1,000 litres of pure water. From 200 ppm water, expect 200–300 litres. Always use RO first in high-TDS areas to extend resin life.

Is fibreglass or aluminium better for WFP poles?
Fibreglass is lighter and more rigid at full extension, reducing fatigue on all-day jobs. Aluminium is cheaper and adequate for occasional use or shorter (6m) work. For 9m poles or professional daily use, fibreglass is the better investment.

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