Waterborne sanitation, cost recovery and quality of life : a case study of Ekuvukeni

Abstract

A bucket sanitation system is being replaced by waterborne sanitation at an apartheid created town called Ekuvukeni near Ladysmith in KwaZulu Natal. This study examines the reasons for upgrading sanitation at Ekuvukeni from a bucket system to a waterborne system, the problems and issues surrounding this project and the likely consequences for Ekuvukeni and the surrounding environment.. The study found that complex political and structural issues and problems have developed around sanitation at Ekuvukeni. These together with other software issues related to sanitation in the South African context have not been adequately considered. The result is that there are many uncertainties which increase the risk of waterborne sanitation system failure and this in turn, would have ' disastrous consequences for the people of Ekuvukeni and the surrounding environment.