Appropriate sanitation technologies in the public sector in South Africa: implications for the marginalised
Résumé
The appropriateness and sustainability of sanitation technologies have occupied the minds of scholars in the sanitation space for a while. This article explores the shift from water-borne to on-site sanitation solutions in South Africa. Additionally, it explores and highlights the significance of meaningful public participation in decision-making about the selection of sanitation facilities. Also, it brings to the spotlight the importance of the social acceptability of sanitation facilities as an important determinant for the success and effective provision of sanitation services. The analysis for this study employs a participatory governance and social acceptability theories, to demonstrate how social acceptability of sanitation infrastructure is central to the sustainability of on-site sanitation technology solutions and how the state has neglected to consider socio-cultural and political sensitivities during the installation of sanitation infrastructure. The contribution of this article lies in its interrogation and critique of top-down sanitation implementation approach, which often resulted in the installation of inappropriate sanitation technology by identifying context-dependent barriers and proposing a participatory and inclusive approach to sanitation provision. The findings of the article has identified a number of barriers to social acceptability and effective implementation of non-sewered sanitation solutions. It should be noted that vulnerable communities, which include elderly, women, children and people with disabilities, are not considered by local authorities when designing, installing and implementing sanitation technologies. In addition, provision of sanitation services, including installation of facilities, has been delivered as a top-down approach that excludes participation of intended communities and this has contributed significantly to the failure of many sanitation infrastructure projects. Furthermore, a regulatory framework for onsite installation needs to be aligned to allow municipalities to implement non-sewered sanitation projects. Lastly, stigmatization on handling faeces has been one of the barriers to effective operation and maintenance of onsite sanitation infrastructure. Based on the review of relevant literature, media reports, and official documentary sources. This article employs a multiple case study research designed to explicate these practices and explores the reasons behind the criteria or guidelines used to determine appropriate sanitation technology.
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