The effect of consumer expectations and perceptions regarding sanitation on access to clean water

Abstract

In the face of rapid urbanisation and population growth, water in urban areas is becoming more and more polluted by human activities. One of the main sources of pollution is the wash-off from areas with inadequate sanitation and open defecation practices, such as dense informal settlements in and around urban areas. Substantial work is being done in South Africa to provide access to low-water and no-water toilets in an effort to minimise wash-off and to reduce the burden on wastewater treatment works. But, the perceptions and expectations of people, whether factually correct or not, are a major barrier to the acceptance and sustainability of these facilities. Dissatisfaction with anything other than water-borne sanitation has resulted in increasing numbers of social protests, some violent – costing the country millions of dollars in loss of economic productivity and damage to infrastructure. The challenge is to address this disjuncture between what people believe and aspire to, and what is possible in providing sanitation services. The suitability of sanitation facilities and services needs to be grounded in a deep understanding of user perceptions and desires, coupled with meaningful participation and involvement in the urban planning process. Flexibility is needed from government, to integrate non-governmental and community initiatives in its planning, and to allow these initiatives to become common practices.