Residents of Nyakathisa, Macassar and Masincedane informal settlements have received the first pilot of the high-tech Clear Enviro Loo Recirculation toilet system.
The three month project, is in partnership with the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, the Water Research Commission (WRC) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
The innovative toilets are environmentally friendly, operating entirely off grid, powered by a combination of wind and solar energy.
In addition, the City said wastewater is processed through a closed-loop, on-site treatment plant that uses a membrane biological reactor and ozone disinfection.
The treated water is then recycled for flushing the toilets.
This innovative technology eliminates the need for a bulk sewer connection, making it ideal for areas with limited infrastructure.
The toilets will be maintained through an on-site, general plant assistant appointed from the local community, working alongside up to three janitors at each site responsible for cleanliness and upkeep.
The WRC’s technology service provider will oversee all operations and maintenance of the plant during the first 12 months.
The City’s Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member (MMC) for Water and Sanitation, said “the learnings and experience from this installation will be beneficial for the remaining three informal settlement sites. Also included in this pilot are 7de Laan in Strandfontein, OR Tambo in Khayelitsha and Rasta Camp in Ocean View, where installations will be taking place in the upcoming months.
The outcomes of this project will also greatly influence whether the City can roll this solution out to more of the 526 informal settlements currently situated across the City.”