Department of Water and Sanitation and George Municipality commemorate World Toilet Day in Pacaltsdorp
In the photo above, Department’s Ms Maggie Sekwati (centre) hands over toilet caring equipment to a resident of Pacaltsdorp after quick education about World Toilet Day. She is with Miss Margo Adonis and Mr David Nazombe.
The Department of Water and Sanitation, in collaboration with the George Municipality, commemorated World Toilet Day today in Pacaltsdorp, a community within the Garden Route District Municipality.
World Toilet Day aims to inspire collective action to address urgent sanitation challenges, urging governments, private sector stakeholders, and civil society to invest in sustainable solutions. It also seeks to raise awareness about the millions of people who still lack access to safe and adequate sanitation facilities.
This year’s theme, “Toilet – A Place for Peace,” highlights the threats to sanitation services posed by conflict, climate change, disasters, and neglect. It emphasises the need for governments to ensure sanitation systems are resilient, effective, sustainable, and accessible to all. More investments and better governance of sanitation systems are critical for achieving equity and building a more peaceful world.
The Department of Water and Sanitation chose George Municipality to host this year’s celebration due to its innovative approach to sanitation. The municipality has introduced a pilot project featuring alternative sanitation technology that addresses the needs of informal settlements, rural, and semi-rural areas.
The innovative, Bio-Separator technology operates independently of sewer reticulation systems, poses no risk to environmental health, and utilises recycled water for flushing. Maintenance costs are minimal, estimated at less than R150 per toilet per year, as it eliminates the need for honey sucker services.
“This technology ticks all the critical boxes for sustainable sanitation solutions,” said Mr Jacob Ngo, Deputy Director for Water and Sanitation Services at the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The George Municipality’s Ms Debra Sauer said this initiative exemplifies the integration of innovative technology with quality service delivery to enhance the quality of life for the residents.
“Sustainable and alternative sanitation solutions are vital for informal settlements tha lack sewer networks. They are also offering a more efficient and environmentally friendly replacement for chemical toilets while reducing the financial strain on the Municipality. It is achievements like these that make the Municipality proud to join in the celebration of World Toilet Day,” said Ms Sauer.
As part of the commemoration, departmental officials conducted a door-to-door campaign in Pacaltsdorp to raise awareness about the importance of sanitation, the need to protect government infrastructure from vandalism, and the critical role of water conservation. The campaign will conclude tomorrow, 20 November 2024.
Bio-separator which stores the human waste, sanitise it and then safely releases it to the environment.
Mr Jacob Ngo