DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS- SANITATION INPUTS ON NATIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 29 MAY 2012 By Mandisa Mangqalaza

Content Background Financing and Planning of Sanitation Programme Sanitation Legislation, Strategies and Protocols Compliance with Environmental Policies & Laws Recommendations for Environmental Managements

DEFINITION SANITATION SERVICE The collection, removal, disposal or treatment of human excreta and domestic wastewater, and the collection, treatment and disposal of industrial wastewater. This includes all of the infrastructure and organizational arrangements necessary to ensure the provision of sanitation services including, amongst others, appropriate health, hygiene and sanitation-related awareness, the measurement of the quantity and quality of discharges where appropriate, and the associated billing, collection of revenue and consumer care. Water Services Authorities have a right but not an obligation to accept industrial wastewater from industries within their area of jurisdiction. ( Draft White Paper on National Sanitation Policy Version )

REGULATION REQUIRED FOR SLUDGE MANAGEMENT The following Acts which are relating to sanitation implementation and provision should be emphasized in this strategy as they are not properly implemented and are given a passive role. The Water Services Act specifically requires that details of existing and proposed water conservation, recycling and environmental protection measures must be included in the Water Services Development Plan which is a component of the IDP. National Environmental Management Air Quality Act 39 of 2004 Disposal –Water Act 36 of 1998 Environmental Conservation Act 73 of 1998 National Water Act 36 of 1998 National Health and Hygiene Strategy The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act ).

WASTEWATER DISPOSAL AND FAECAL SLUDGE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES Authorization for waste water disposal (disposal site permit). Guidelines on sludge management in agricultural practices- Irrigation with liquid sludge authorization. Sludge as a resource (large economic and social spin-offs to benefit local communities) e.g. compost, pellets for fuel & bricks superior in strength & less absorption rate, landfill cover material- achievement of sustainable (eThekwini Declaration). Technical reports approval (increase of WWTPs capacity & compliance and sludge management) and and norms and standards Negative effects of poor sludge management to the environment –impact on fauna & flora, water resources and land quality in general.

NATIONAL SANITATION TOOLS AND GUIDELINES The following guidelines should be part of the strategy National Health and Hygiene Strategy Addresses health & hygiene education in the short & medium term as part of all water & sanitation service delivery projects and long term as part of municipal district health Provides options for implementation approaches and monitoring, evaluation and reporting as prescribed in the AMCOW South African Plan for Sanitation. Green Drop Programme The strategy is quite on the support to municipalities who do not comply to Green Drop standards. Groundwater Protocol to manage contamination from On-site Sanitation Provides simple tools for groundwater and sanitation planners to ensure that the sanitation programmes place a high value on ground water resources and protect them from contamination from sanitation practices. However, concerns regarding the contamination of groundwater should not be used as a motivation for using on-site sanitation systems without proper investigation of the implications of adopting alternative systems

MONITORING & EVALUATION MECHANISMS The strategy should include the following mechanisms to monitor the implementation of all sanitation systems in terms of their environmental impacts and compliance: Appraisal of Project Technical Reports; Compliance in terms of the submission of Project Groundwater Protocol Reports; Monthly Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Reports on all Sanitation Projects implemented; Local and District Municipal Forums and Provincial and National Forums ; Sanitation Project Sustainability Audits. Management of full pits and Discharge of effluent to water sources

RECOMMENDATION Encourage environmentally sustainable sanitation service delivery. Promote integrated development planning-prioritisation of sanitation service delivery. Address the sanitation needs and priorities of people (informal settlements, rural & urban areas & farm dwellers. Promote environmentally sound sanitation services in conjunction with all human settlements Planning for sustainable sanitation service delivery.

CONCLUSION Job creation generated from sanitation service delivery programmes needs to come out clearly in the strategy. Goals 1,3 & 4 is very silent about sanitation but is mentioning other waste sources like paper, pesticides etc. Goal 7 does mention the remediation of contaminated land which- assumption is that Ground Water Protocol is included. Package of Outcome 8: output 4 access to basic services to minimize environmental despoliation.

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