The George Municipality wants the Western Cape Provincial Infrastructure Department, to fund the installation of alternative sanitation solutions (900 units) in informal settlements.
In a statement, the George Municipality said back in April 2023, alternative sanitation solution pilot projects were introduced in Syferfontein, an informal settlement south of Pacaltsdorp.
The toilets use enzymes to dissolve solids and include a water flush mechanism that drains into underground tanks, reducing servicing frequency from two to three times a week to just once a month.
After a year of use, residents seem to like the new units.
If the funding application is approved, the targeted areas for the implementation of this solution are all informal settlements that are serviced by chemical toilets.
Speaking at a session titled water scarcity and climate resilience at a recently organized conference by the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), Philip Majake, Manager at the Water Research Commission (WRC), said
the selection of appropriate sanitation technologies, should be based on low vulnerability and high adaptability to climate change.
He also said existing infrastructure should be assessed for climate change resilience and robustness, and be modified to reduce the impact of climate related events, where possible.
Picture: George Municipality