Potential health timbe bomb ticking in FS

Abstract

WATER AND HEALTH I n the Free State, a significant proportion of the municipal wastewater systems are pond based (60), with some 47 using so-called waste stabilisation ponds alone. These are usually located in the smaller towns, several of which still use bucket sanitation. Waste stabilisation ponds, known locally as oxidation ponds, are internationally accepted low unit cost wastewater treatment systems suited especially to smaller communities. The ponds are large shallow basins enclosed by earthen embankments wherein the raw sewage is treated by entirely natural processes involving bacteria and algae. Such a wastewater treatment system would consist of several ponds. The ponds are closed systems and according to South African laws are not allowed to discharge into the environment.

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