Cape Town - A new toilet pilot project to be trialled in five high-density settlements in the metro has raised concern over widening inequality in Cape Town.
In collaboration with the Water Research Commission (WRC), the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is set to trial the eco-friendly, non-sewered toilets in Macassar, Strandfontein, Ocean View and Khayelitsha in coming months.
The handover of sites at Nyagatisa in Macassar and Masincedane in Strandfontein has already taken place, where the Clear Enviro Loo Recirculation toilet system will be piloted.
The technology will treat wastewater through a biological reactor and ozone disinfection, with the treated water then recycled for flushing.
In the next few months, University of South Florida NEWgenerator technology will be tested at Rasta Camp in Ocean View and at OR Tambo in Khayelitsha, while an Aquonic Tank will be deployed in 7de Laan in Strandfontein.
The NEWgenerator is designed to turn sewage wastewater into non-potable water, energy and nutrients.
The Aquonic Tank turns black water and grey water into pathogen-free reusable water that can be used for toilet flushing and irrigation.
The City said it spent more than R414 million in annual servicing costs of toilets in informal settlements.
Through the R78m paid over multiple financial years by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the City said the roll-out of the toilets will test various sanitation technologies.
Mayco member for water and sanitation, councillor Zahid Badroodien, said: “Many of these communities are not located near any bulk water or sewer infrastructure. It is for this reason that investigating and investing in the adoption of innovative and dignified sanitation technologies and services in underserviced communities is a priority for our City of Hope.”
However, Abahlali baseMjondolo (The Residents of the Shacks) general secretary, Thapelo Mohapi, said the project was a concern, saying the City did not recognise the dignity of the poor who live in informal settlements.
“The City must provide proper sanitation with flush toilets as the politicians are using. This is segregation, where proper services are provided to the haves, while the have-nots continue to live under dire conditions in shack settlements. We reject this kind of segregation, which says that the poor and black are not worthy of proper sanitation.
“The City has returned back R500m, which they could have used for decent housing with proper sanitation. We are also human beings who should be afforded the opportunity to be provided with the same right as the elites.”
Residents from Strandfontein’s 7de Laan informal settlement said they were happy about the plans for the toilets.
Community leader Maggie Kampher said the toilets were expected to arrive early next year. “It’ll be way more convenient,” she said.
7de Laan has been around for 38 years and is home to about 350 residents who currently rely on outdoor toilets and a porta-loo system.
Kampher said field workers are already being considered for potential job opportunities within the community. But she fears that with the proposed toilets, they will have no access to proper housing from the City.
“When are we going to get housing, everybody has houses.”
Ward councillor in Strandfontein, Elton Jansen, said: “I also support and welcome this pilot project because we need to look at innovative ways to restore people’s dignity especially in our informal settlements.”
Ward councillor in Khayelitsha, Anele Gabuza said: “It is clear that people are interested in getting flushing toilets, not other toilets, because they are saying their dignity must be respected as such.”
byron.lukas@inl.co.za