George Municipality Seeks Funding for Alternative Sanitation Solutions in Informal Settlements

In the photo: After a year of use, residents have praised the new sanitation units

The George Municipality has applied for funding from the Western Cape Provincial Department of Infrastructure to install alternative sanitation solutions for approximately 900 units. This follows the successful implementation of pilot projects in various informal settlement areas last year.

In April 2023, the George Municipality introduced two pilot projects in Syferfontein, an informal settlement south of Pacaltsdorp, to replace chemical toilets with alternative on-site sanitation technology. These new toilets use enzymes to dissolve solids and include a water flush mechanism that drains into underground tanks, reducing servicing frequency from two to three times a week to once a month.

Testing sustainable alternative sanitation solutions is crucial for informal settlements without sewer networks, to replace chemical toilets and alleviate the financial burden on the Municipality and the Department of Infrastructure.

After a year of use, residents have praised the new sanitation units. If the funding application is approved, the targeted areas for the implementation of this solution are all informal settlements that are serviced by chemical toilets.