Innovative sanitation technology breaks ground in Strandfontein and Macassar
22 November 2024
Construction of new eco-friendly toilets not connected to the municipal sewer reticulation system is progressing well, at Nyagatisa Informal Settlement in Macassar and Masincedane Informal Settlement in Strandfontein. This follows handover of the sites to contractors in September 2024. The sites are the first two of five informal settlements where the sanitation technology is being piloted.
This pioneering sanitation initiative is being undertaken by the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate in partnership with the Water Research Commission (WRC), funded through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In Nyagatisa, home to around 1 000 residents, the City currently provides 35 chemical toilets, serviced four times a week. An additional 17 flush toilets enclosed in three refurbished containers, will be introduced as part of this pilot project.
Similarly, in Masincedane, where approximately 363 residents reside, the City has supplied 20 container toilets and 53 portable flush toilets, also serviced four times a week. Another 17 flush toilets enclosed in three refurbished containers will also be added at this location.
‘Construction of the Clear Enviro Loo Recirculation toilet system in both beneficiary communities is almost 75% complete. The pilot project is expected to be completed by early December, with a full handover to residents scheduled for mid-December 2024.
‘This installation of innovative technologies has the potential to improve delivery of sanitation services to communities, where a full flush toilet experience was previously not possible due to limited infrastructure,’ said City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Key milestones reached to date include:
• completion of the localised sewer reticulation pipelines
• front-end ablution containers and back-end treatment plants have been delivered to site
• construction of underground tanks
• water and sewer connections are currently in progress.
To test the viability of this technology for further roll-out, the City has established a monitoring and evaluation team, consisting of a multi-disciplinary group of officials.
The working group will monitor four performance areas to measure the efficiency which includes: technical performance (i.e. quality of treated effluent, system functionality and robustness of the technology); environmental impact and regulatory compliance; economic viability and social acceptance taking into account user experience, health and safety conditions.
For the initial 12-month period, the WRC appointed service provider will operate and maintain the system, responding to any technical problems that may arise.
Engagements with the community are ongoing to determine how the technology is being received and to address any concerns raised.
More about the Clear Enviro Loo Recirculation
Wastewater will be treated on site through a membrane biological reactor and ozone disinfection. The treated water will then be recycled back to the toilets for flushing. The technology requires no bulk sewer connection, making it ideal for areas with limited infrastructure.
Site handover and construction at the remaining three sites: 7de Laan in Strandfontein, OR Tambo in Khayelitsha and Rasta Camp in Ocean View will take place in the upcoming months.
‘This milestone is a significant stride in the City’s efforts to provide for alternative sanitation solutions, which improve living conditions in informal settlements. The end goal is to assess these pilot technologies and evaluate the feasibility of broader use in other informal settlements across Cape Town,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
