Dignity is being restored to South Drieziek community

Dignity is being restored to South Drieziek community

27 March 2019 Release: immediate

Today, 27 March 2019, I had the pleasure of joining Johannesburg Water as they delivered 50 of the planned 321 chemical toilets the community of South Drieziek Ext.5, providing basic sanitation services to these residents for the first time.

I was able to visit Mountain City Informal Settlement, where Johannesburg Water delivered a further 65 chemical toilets in the last couple of weeks.

Sanitation is a basic human requirement, which contributes to human dignity and quality of life. It is an essential tool in the fight against poverty and inequality.

Since 2017 Johannesburg Water has handed over 10 400 chemical toilets to residents of the City of Johannesburg who live in informal settlements and do not have access to basic sanitation services. As part of the strategic plan of Johannesburg Water, R95 million has been set aside over three years for the provision of chemical toiles in informal settlements.

I am also aware that chemical toilets, although they do provide a key service to communities in need, are not a long-term solution.

Over 72 000 households in informal settlements are serviced by Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines, individual connections or ablution blocks.

There is a current backlog of 111 530 households which are serviced by chemical toilets. For this current financial year, Johannesburg Water is undertaking projects in Ekuphumleni, Meriting, Lawley and Finetown North which will reduce the backlog to 109 065.

For media queries:

Chantelle Fourie-Shawe Media Specialist: Office of the Executive Mayor chantellef@joburg.org.za 081 546 1014