| Water and sanitation services in informal settlements | <h2 class="sectHeading">Water and sanitation services in informal settlements</h2><p>
<strong>Download the poster below to see how Cape Town is leading the way in sanitation services in South Africa: </strong></p><div class="infographic bg-font-adjust-bg">
<figure><img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Saving%20Water%20Tips%20-%20Thumbnail.jpg" style="width:75px;" /></figure><figcaption>
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<span class="infoGraphicSpan">INFOGRAPHIC</span><br><strong>cape town, leading sanitation</strong></p>
<a title="title" class="btn dark-blue" href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Cape%20Town%20Leading%20Sanitation%20%28PDF%29.pdf" target="_blank"><i class="icon download"></i>Download PDF</a></figcaption></div><p>We provide and maintain over 50 000 toilets and over 10 000 communal standpipes (taps) in informal settlements throughout the city. We also run programmes to regularly clean and service all toilets. In line with the national government policy, we offer free basic water and sanitation services to residents in informal settlements across the city.
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<strong>However, we have set our own higher target of at least:</strong></p><ul><li>one shared toilet to maximum of five households; and </li><li>one tap to 25 households and within a maximum walking distance of 200 metres.</li></ul>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Types of toilets in informal settlements</h2></span>
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<strong>Flush toilets </strong>
<br>Most informal settlements have full flush (waterborne) toilets and these are generally preferred by both the City and communities. </p><p>
<strong>However, it is not always possible to place flush toilets in areas that are:</strong> </p><ul><li>vulnerable to flooding;</li><li>on unstable ground (e.g. former solid waste disposal sites);</li><li>on private land; or</li><li>so densely settled that there is no room for water infrastructure.</li></ul><p>
<strong>Alternative toilets</strong><br>When full flush toilets can’t be installed, alternative toilets (e.g. chemical toilets, portable flush toilets, container toilets) are provided. </p><p>
<strong>Portable toilets </strong>
<br>Portable flush toilets are a safe, fully flushable and hygienic alternative to traditional full-flush toilets. The toilet consists of an upper section that includes a seat and a lower section that is a collection tank, which is serviced three times a week. Two lower tanks are provided with each toilet.</p><p>Portable flush toilets are entirely voluntary and we provide them to individual informal houses, over and above other toilets. They are widely accepted and many residents – women and children in particular – choose portables for safety reasons (for example, to avoid having to leave home at night to go to the toilet). </p><p>
<strong>Chemical toilets </strong>
<br>Chemical toilets are provided in areas where full-flush toilets cannot be provided. The chemical toilets are installed by contractors and are serviced three times a week. City Monitoring and Evaluation teams visit informal settlements from Monday to Friday each week to inspect toilets and ensure that contractors perform these duties according to their contractual agreements.</p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Servicing</h2></span>
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<strong>Community toilets are serviced as follows:</strong></p><ul><li>Full flush toilets are serviced by our janitors </li><li>Chemical toilets, portable flush toilets and other toilets are serviced by contractors three times a week, or as agreed with the community. </li></ul>
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<i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p> Make sure your toilet is not locked on cleaning days – or organise for someone to be available with the key on the day.<span style="background-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);"></span><span style="background-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);"></span></p></div></div></span> | | GP0|#b9f5c0e4-4dfb-40f3-b735-1b39e917fff7;L0|#0b9f5c0e4-4dfb-40f3-b735-1b39e917fff7|Water and sanitation services in informal settlements;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#b7d85630-8bda-4b28-adc9-6def4cb10e31;GPP|#a3964d56-b74d-4d64-95c1-ff381a88a277;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We provide water and sanitation services to residents in informal settlements. | 0 |
