The City has begun rolling out a new toilet pilot project with Rasta Camp in Ocean View, Nyagatisa in Macassar and Masincedane in Strandfontein being among the next sites selected for it.

The project at Rasta Camp is still in the planning stage but is expected to launch in the coming months, according to Zahid Badroodien, mayoral committee member for water and sanitation.

“Cape Town currently has 526 informal settlements, many of which lack access to bulk water or sewer infrastructure, making traditional sewer connections impossible.

“The City spends over R414 million annually on various types of temporary toilets, including chemical and portable flush toilets, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions,” he said.

With a R78.1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this pilot project will test “community reinvented toilets” in five high-density settlements.

The goal, according to Mr Badroodien, is to evaluate these technologies for broader use across Cape Town. The handover of sites on Friday September 20 marked the introduction of the first non-sewered sanitation technology in informal settlements, offering sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.

The Clear Enviro Loo Recirculation toilet system will be piloted at these two sites, with installation taking place over the next three months.

“This innovative technology treats wastewater using a membrane biological reactor and ozone disinfection, allowing it to recycle treated water for flushing without needing a sewer connection,” said Mr Badroodien.

In the coming months, the USF NEWgenerator technology will be trialled at Rasta Camp, while the Aquonic Tank will be deployed in Strandfontein.

“I support this as it decentralises the management of wastewater while ensuring that residents are involved. Large centralised reticulation systems are expensive and prone to failure, especially when spread over large distances,” said ward councillor Simon Liell-Cock.

The USF NEWgenerator technology treated waste water, known as blackwater, using a mix of biological and physical methods, he said.

“First, the blackwater goes into a special tank called an anaerobic membrane reactor, where bacteria break down harmful substances without using oxygen.

“After this, the water is filtered and treated to remove any unwanted materials before it is disinfected and prepared for reuse in toilets,” he said.

Mr Badroodien said: “Anaerobic systems use less energy, produce less waste, and can create energy-rich gas.”

He added that they were also exploring how the system’s by-products could be used for small-scale farming.

For residents of Rasta Camp, the technology would ensure access to flush toilet facilities, significantly improving daily life for residents, said Mr Badroodien.

“This will provide dignity that many have been missing due to the lack of sewer reticulation networks,” he said, adding, “We will monitor the quality of treated effluent, functionality, regulatory compliance, financial viability, and user experience.

“Gathering feedback from the community will be essential in guiding future investments in sustainable sanitation.”

Erin Carelse

Camps to pilot City toilet project