Sanitation Infrastructure and Bucket Eradication

Description

Over 30,000 households still relied on bucket sanitation as of the 2024/25 DWS quarterly report, while the 2023 Green Drop assessment found 334 of 995 wastewater treatment works in critical condition, discharging partially treated effluent into rivers. The committee examined sanitation backlogs alongside the Water Services Amendment Bill in February 2026. The AGSA's December 2025 water sector report flagged persistent underspending on sanitation infrastructure grants. Progress is stalled by the intersection of municipal incapacity, poor grant design, and the high capital cost of waterborne sanitation in informal settlements.

• A Framework to support the development of Model By-laws (norms and standards) for Water Efficient Sanitation Solutions in municipalities

  WRC · Apr 2026

  The paper directly addresses water-efficient sanitation solutions (WESS) as an alternative to centralised waterborne sanitation, discusses their application in informal settlements and low-cost housing, and examines regulatory frameworks needed for implementation—all mechanisms relevant to addressi…

Links proposed by lexical matching and screened by a calibrated research judge. Follow the paper for the full argument and its caveats.

• Consolidated general report on local government audit outcomes (MFMA 2024-25)AGSA finding

  Auditor-General of South Africa · 2024-25

  Eastern Cape · Alfred Nzo District Municipality

  The Mbizana sewer project in Alfred Nzo District Municipality has stalled since 2020 due to non-compliance with environmental legislation; the AGSA notified the accounting officer of a material irregularity for harm to the public from untreated wastewater discharged into the eMhlangeni River. (sec 7.1 Eastern Cape, p. 255 (PDF p. 259))

  Matched on the responsible entity

• Consolidated general report on local government audit outcomes (MFMA 2024-25)AGSA finding

  Auditor-General of South Africa · 2024-25

  Western Cape · Knysna Local Municipality

  At Knysna, inadequately treated wastewater and poor solid waste management have resulted in pollution of the environment, including water streams and the estuary, which poses risks to ecosystems, public health and the quality of life of the local community; efforts to address the environmental concerns are hindered by ageing and inadequate infrastructure. (sec 7.9 Western Cape, Material irregularities, p. 308 (PDF p. 312))

  Matched on the responsible entity

• Provincial Economic Review and Outlook 2025Provincial PER

  Western Cape Provincial Treasury · 2025

  Western Cape · Western Cape Province

  Western Cape access to flush toilets connected to the sewerage system rose 10.2 percentage points, from 81.6 per cent in 2004 to 91.8 per cent in 2024, but informal settlements in Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Philippi and Driftsands remain challenged with unreliable access to water and sanitation. (sec 5.4.2 Dwelling services, p. 165 (PDF p. 182))

  Judged by the model

• The 2024 Annual Socio-Economic State of the Eastern Cape Report (SERO)SERO

  Eastern Cape Socio Economic Consultative Council (ECSECC) · 2024

  Eastern Cape · Eastern Cape Province

  In the Eastern Cape, 61.0% had access to flush toilets in 2022. Some households in the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape reported no type of toilet facility, at 5.3% and 2.9% respectively. (sec 6.3.4 Sanitation, PDF p. 103)

  Judged by the model

Provincial treasury reviews, Auditor-General findings and Operation Vulindlela progress notes. Each line is drawn from the document at the page reference given — follow the link to check it in context.

Committee sittings this reform was drawn from, most recent first. Each row opens the meeting on this site; the PMG link goes to the source record.

• Water and Sanitation

  23 July 2024

  6th Parliament Water & Sanitation Committee Legacy Report

  PMG record ↗

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