Provision of decent sanitation facilities restores human dignity. As the universe celebrates the World Toilet Day today, 19/11/14, eThekwini Municipality is proud of the strides it has made in providing proper sanitation to thousands of citizens and for being leader in innovation to find long term solutions to sanitation challenges.
The Municipality is pleased to announce that in the past 20 years the bucket system has been eradicated and that the supply of sewerage and sanitation is one of the best in the country. The City was recently awarded the best prize by the United Nations for the community ablution blocks innovation in dealing with sanitation challenges for provision of services in informal settlements in the whole of Africa.
The Municipality has restored dignity to about 750 000 people living in informal settlements after ablution facilities were erected. They now receive a proper sanitation service free of charge which has both and female and male facilities that have locked doors to allow privacy. These facilities have improved health and hygiene levels in the informal settlements.
Mayor James Nxumalo said; “One of the worst legacies of apartheid is the inadequate provision of water and sanitation service. In the past, this service was provided to a certain class. As the City we are very proud to say we have provided sanitation to residents from rural areas, informal settlements and those in previously disadvantaged areas to improve living conditions and to restore people’s dignity,” said Nxumalo.
Nxumalo said the City is currently working on new alternative sanitation technologies that will save water.
Communal ablution facilities are connected with lighting at night to improve the safety of users and they are connected to the municipal sewerage and water systems. Each ablution facility is supplied with toilet tissues and there is a caretaker who is responsible for maintenance thus ensuring cleanliness.
