Faecal sludge management and improvement of water usage within the municipality of Polokwane

Abstract

In 1994, a democratic South Africa enabled racial groups to acquire one man one vote status. Democracy makes it mandatory for post-colonial countries to conduct elections on a regular basis as prescribed by their constitutions. It is during election periods that different political organisations' manifestos and campaigns make promises to the electorate to provide better health care to all, improve the social wellbeing and the lives of citizens through effective health policies. In the sanitation sector in most countries, improving the lives of citizens is just a promise as rivers, wells, lakes and sources of fresh water are contaminated with domestic faecal sludge and effluent from industries, filling stations and hospitals. Despite well-developed policies about effluent release into the environment. Two of Polokwane Municipality's main sewerage plants in Seshego and Polokwane already receive more daily effluent than their designed and planned capacity and the total capacity of the Polokwane plant was not expanded post-1994, although the population of Polokwane has since more than doubled. An alternative plan for re-use of grey and sewage water is not in place. The paper provides insights into projected population growth and expected sewage capacity and recommendations for alternatives to sewerage plants including re-use of grey water and dry sanitation in peri-urban areas.