Kgalagadi Household Sanitation Programme

In 2003, the lack of sanitation services in the semi-arid Kgalagadi Municipal Area, in the Northern Northwestern Capes, presented an increasing threat of illness borne from unsanitary water supplies to 168 villages, incorporating 27 680 households.  Based on guidelines from the National Sanitation Protocol the Kgalagadi Household Sanitation Programme was initiated.  34 villages deemed as priorities, in 7 clusters, were chosen because of the pollution load in local water supplies, aquifer vulnerability, and disease profiles in local clinics.  These clusters became the subject of a household sanitation programme initiated to address health and hygiene problems stemming from the contamination of drinking water in the Kgalagadi District resulting from improper sanitation services, including long drop toilets in areas with high water tables.  In order integrate increased social capital and capacity in the local communities the Department of Water Affairs and Forrestry (DWAF) mandated that monies budgeted for the implementation of the project be cycled through the local economies.  This was accomplished with the SARAR:

• Self-Esteem: The self-esteem of groups and individuals is acknowledged and enhanced by recognising that they have the creative and analytic capacity to identify and solve their own problems.

• Associative Strengths: A methodology based on people from different groups coming together to become stronger, and development of the capacity to act together.

• Resourcefulness: Each individual is a potential resource to their community.  This method seeks to develop the creativity of groups and individuals seeking solutions to their problems.

• Action Planning: Strategies for creating solutions to actual or potential problems is a central theme to the Kgalagadi Household Sanitation Programme.  Change can be achieved only when groups plan and execute appropriate action.

• Responsibility: Community buy-in implies participants will assume responsibility for their own plan of action, and see to its implementation and execution.

A protocol study was conducted by the DWAF on the environmental impact of long drop toilets in areas that have high water tables.  The findings revealed that traditional long drop toilets made substantial contributions to the pollution of drinking water, resulting in increased levels of bacteria, parasites, and viral infections.  Under conditions where water tables near villages were deemed unsatisfactory by the DWAF the provincial government only allowed for the construction of Urine Diversion Systems (UDS) toilets in order to mitigate the corresponding health problems.  Construction, management, and provision of the material for the new toilets was carried out by 120 builders, 30 quality assessors, 30 store men, 90 Health and Hygeine workers, and 10 managers. 

In response to the problems faced in the Kgalagadi District of the Northern Cape and the Northwestern Province, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry provided R11,5 million in funding for new toilets and training where applicable.  Africon Engineering International stepped up to provide project management where needed and assist in administrative tasks.  In addition, the district municipality acted as the Project Manager, and the Mvula Trust provided the training to the effected communities.

In each of the participating villages community meetings were held, and committees comprised of local community members were elected. The elected officials received training as health workers and in proper hygiene practices, allowing for local members of villages to be educated through local efforts and relationships.  To bring the ideas of proper sanitation to life, Participatory Health and Sanitation Training tools (PHAST) were used. Health and Hygiene workers also made their respective villages aware of the different sanitation options available, so community members could make an informed choice between a Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP), which requires members of the household to dig another pit when the original is full, but provides a means of removing the smell and mess of traditional long drop of bucket systems; or Urine Diversion System (UDS), used to stymie water based pollution through leaching, but requires that fecal matter be burned or composed when the system becomes full. 

Throughout the process of transitioning between technologies people expressed disinterest in using UDS because of sanitary reasons regarding sewage disposal.  Consequently, households were encouraged to use their new toilets through DWAF's Ecosan educational campaigns aimed at destigmatising non-flush systems.  Education and insight was provided to community members into environmental sanitation issues, so that they might find value in the system, through a 3 pronged philosophy of containment, sanitation, and recycling of human excreta.  To ensure compliance with the new sanitation protocol each village committee became responsible for community members discontinued use of old, unsanitary toilets using door to door campaigns and frequent check-ups.  Additionally, physical demonstrations on how to use the new toilets properly were also performed for beneficiaries.

Innovation

Innovation stems from the use of the Urine Diversion System in a semi-arid environment where water is a scarce resource.  This system allows for toilet amenities to be provided for the populace without negative impacts, concerning over-consumption and pollution, on the local water supply. 

Effectiveness

A total of 2 760 toilets were constructed in the Kgalagadi Municipal Area in 2003.  The project produced and delivered 100% of the toilets to participating households, and those that specifically declined were not provided with materials.

Poverty Impact

Out of the total R11,5 million budgeted for the project R8 million was infused directly into the community via salaries to committee members, and employment of 120 local builders, 30 store keepers, 30 quality assessors, 90 health and hygiene educators and 10 managers.  Also, provincial emerging contractors supplied building materials.

Sustainability

This is a one off project, and was initially slated to terminate at the end of June 2005 with total cost of R11.5 million.  The cost of the project has exceeded original projections as construction in non-urban settings produced unforeseen burdens on finances and time limits.

Replication

This model can be replicated in other settings where concerns over water sanitation dominate local health issues.

Partnerships

• National Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
• Provincial Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
• Provincial Department of Health
• Kgalagadi District Municipality
• Mvula Trust
• Africon International
• Local Chiefs
• Ward Councillors