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Chapter 6: The Sanitation Revolution
It has been estimated that R44.75 billion is needed to provide basic
FACTS sanitation services to the un-served population and to refurbish and
upgrade existing infrastructure. This amount excludes the investment
costs for bulk infrastructure requirements for new services. The
challenge is immense and includes a myriad of other complexities, including water
scarcity, rapid urbanisation, the growth of both formal and informal areas, and the
maintenance of existing infrastructure.
Flush toilets
connected to
a centralised
sewerage system
are regarded at the
‘gold standard’ of
sanitation
The range of toilets in South Africa
South Africa has a range of toilets, although flush toilets connected to a centralised
sewerage system are regarded at the ‘gold standard’ of sanitation:
• Flush toilets that link to the country’s 2,000 waste water treatment plants;
• Toilets that flush into an on-site septic tank;
• Chemical toilets (emptied by a tanker);
• Pit latrines;
• Ecological or eco-toilets; and
• Bucket ‘toilets’, emptied either by local government or by the household.
In metros and larger towns, flush toilets are connected to a centralised sewerage
system. The wastewater is transported by sewers linked to pump stations where
it enters treatment works on the outskirts of the city. This form of sanitation is
regarded as the ‘gold standard’ and is an aspiration for most citizens in South Africa.
It is technically possible to connect more households to this network provided that
wastewater treatment plants are upgraded and maintained to handle additional load.
FIGURE 6.1: TOTAL SANITATION NEEDS
Source: Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (2010)
Water Facts & Futures: Rethinking South Africa’s Water Future | Page
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