Improper greywater management raises concerns

Abstract

DENSE SETTLEMENTS Many of South Africa’s townships have been connected to municipal water supplies in the last ten years as part of Government’s efforts to eradicate the backlog of those without access to clean water. Water provision in these areas is more often than not through a public standpipe or a yard connection outside the home. In this process, however, little attention is generally given to the management of greywater. As a result, this water – the wastewater produced from household processes such as washing dishes, cooking, laundry and bathing – is randomly tossed outside. What makes matters worse, reports Kirsty Carden of the UCT Greywater Research Team, is that many of these settlements have dysfunctional or inadequate sewerage systems. All of this creates a serious hazard to the health of the community as well as the surrounding environment.

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