Enabling the adoption of water-efficient sanitation solutions in South Africa by proposing a model set of sanitation services bylaws: the context

South Africa, like many developing countries eager to fast-track their efforts to reach the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation, is lagging behind (UNICEF and WHO 2023). Rapid and uncontrolled urbanisation, spawned by the desire for better services, continues to impede basic service delivery. In addition, population growth and the growing number of informal settlements within cities have resulted in significant backlogs in all provinces (STATS SA 2024). The problem is further exacerbated by the unending desire for the ‘flush toilet’ .