City provides approximately 50 000 toilets in informal settlements
19 November 2020
Approximately 50 000 toilets are provided to residents in 181 000 households in informal settlements which includes the servicing of toilets and janitorial services, which has continued throughout lockdown. The City was the first to establish janitorial teams for informal settlements and over the past eight years, has created 17 000 work opportunities through this service. In light of World Toilet Day on 19 November, we want to thank the communities, ward councillors and City staff for their collaborative efforts and engagements over the years to facilitate the provision of toilets. Read more below:
An interview with a resident is available here: https://youtu.be/MmGZK1GlLBE
A number of different toilet typologies are available for communities, depending on the circumstances unique to each informal settlement, related to factors such as the typology and ownership of the land, as well as space constraints.
‘The City’s first choice is to install traditional full-flush toilets, and it does so wherever this is legally and physically possible. Currently, more than 13 000 full-flush toilets have been installed where possible. However it is not always possible to install full-flush infrastructure, and constraints include land that is privately owned, situated in a wetland, or on a sand dune.
‘Space is also often a factor. Formal ablution blocks can only be installed in certain parts of an informal settlement where there is space for laying of pipes or construction of toilet blocks.
‘Where the City is not able to install full-flush toilets, residents are provided with alternative sanitation solutions, including portable flush toilets (PFTs), container toilets, and chemical toilets, where possible.
‘Currently, approximately 18 000 chemical and container toilets have been provided where it is not possible to install full-flush toilets.
‘Approximately 20 000 portable flush toilets have also been provided to individual households in areas where there are safety concerns related to using formal ablution facilities during the night and where accessibility for the other toilet types are a challenge for residents. PFTs are also suitable for people with disabilities and whose mobility is generally limited. This service can be provided on request,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
Janitorial service
The City-pioneered janitorial programme allows for regular cleaning of toilets while providing job opportunities to community members enrolled on the job-seekers database. The toilets are also serviced regularly. These services have also been enhanced during lockdown as part of the City’s COVID-19 emergency response to help mitigate the spread of the virus.
‘Over the past eight years, the City has created 17 000 work opportunities through the janitorial service for the cleaning and servicing of all the toilets.
‘The City will continue to work closely with ward councillors and informal settlement leadership structures to unlock additional opportunities for provision of sanitation where it is possible to do so. Given the legal and technical constraints we are facing, maximising access to sanitation will require flexibility and openness to alternative solutions in almost all cases.
‘We also want to use the platform of World Toilet Day to highlight the importance of following due process with respect to development. Under-serviced communities that result from unlawful occupations create many health and environmental challenges.
‘Illegal construction over City servitudes also blocks access for upgrades and maintenance. Furthermore, we want to urge those who are renting part of their property to backyard tenants to make sure these tenants have adequate access to toilets, and that these toilets are correctly connected to the sewer system,’ said Alderman Limberg.
Reporting vandalism or blockages:
Residents are encouraged to help the City take care of the toilets to ensure they remain in working order. This can be done by reporting vandalism or blockages of the toilets as well as only disposing of toilet paper and tissues in the toilets. Generally the majority of blockages are caused by misuse of the sewer system, especially when items such as rags, newspapers, condoms and feminine hygiene products are disposed into the system. The City responds to services requests as and when they are reported, but the situation will not be resolved until such time as these items stop being flushed down the toilet.
The City generally runs ongoing education and awareness programmes across Cape Town as well as campaigns to make communities aware of the impact this has on our infrastructure. These range from conversations with residents to campaigns such as the present ‘Bin it, don’t block it’ drive.
Visit the City’s sewer blockages page for more information including the ‘Bin It, don’t block it’ materials.
The ‘Bin It, don’t block it’ materials are available in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
Anonymous tip-offs welcomed:
Residents can give anonymous tip offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is taking place; that has happened or is still to happen. Please call 112 from a cell phone (toll free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
