Ethekwini Water & Sanitation Programme

Ethekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) has embarked on a free basic water and basic sanitation programme for disadvantaged communities to improve their current and long-term health status. In technical terms this involves the provision an affordable, sustainable, environmentally-friendly infrastructure to every household as follows: (1) a sustainable supply of  water in terms of a 200 litre ground tank for each household, connected to a water supply. (2) a ventilated improved urine diversion toilet which is safe, reliable, environmentally sound, easy to keep clean, provides privacy and protection against weather, is well ventilated, keeps smells to a minimum and prevents the exit of flies and other disease-carrying pests.

Innovation

Durban’s eThekwini Municipality is the first local government to provide a free bulk supply of 200 litres of water per day to each household within the unicity. This programme entails the provision of technical services under a single programme, viz. the provision of an acceptable free basic level of water, in conjunction with appropriate and sustainable sanitation. It also entails the promotion of health and hygiene education as an integral part of the programme. Institutional and Social Development (ISD) consultants are appointed to assist with the implementation of the programme. The work includes informing the community about the project, confirming demographic data, promotion of health and hygiene, training of local community committees and liaising with traditional structures. The employment policy of the programme targets the most needy individuals within the community and in particular women, youth, unemployed and single parent households. 

Effectiveness

Project progress is monitored by means of Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) in order to assess the progress of the programme. Progress to date can be measured by the following: 4660 local labour and construction workers have been employed, 85 health workers/facilitators are employed, 2260 toilets have been handed over, 5960 toilets are under construction, 5450 ground water tanks have been commissioned and a third of projects have been completed.

Poverty Impact

Communities have access to services that did not exist before. Women, especially mothers, do not have to fetch water from rivers. Children have access to safe sanitation facilities. There appears to be a general acceptance of the programme, capacity has been built and opportunities for employment have been provided.

Sustainability:

The target date for completion is 2010. The estimated projected cost of the programme is R94 million. Dept of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP) provides part funding of the water and sanitation programme, including health and hygiene. World Vision provides part funding of the rural water and sanitation project. The Dept of Labour provides funds for skills development. The Water Research Commision (WRC) is undertaking a pathogen study to determine safe disposal of the contents of toilet pits. The Human Sciences Reseacrch Council (HSRC) conducts independent monitoring of the project and evaluates knowledge, attitudes and practices. SANTAG (KwaZulu Natal Sanitation Task Group) plays a co-ordinating role in sanitation in the province, and provides a forum for bringing together role-players and stakeholders. This programme has been driven by eThekwini Municipality Water and Sanitation and whole-heartedly supported by the Council. Other partners, both public and private, have been eager to invest in this programme. These partnerships are working well and efficiently, and contributed to a highly successful programme.

Replication

This project can be replicated, whatever the size of the district municipalities. DWAF, the current custodian of the funding arrangements, is looking at the Durban model keenly, with idea of replicating this in other district municipalities.

Partnerships

• DWAF – 13% funding
• CMIP – 74% funding
• World Vision – 4% funding