Durban is a city in South Africa and a decade ago it was facing severe water shortages. Its dam reservoirs were decreasing at an alarming rate. Additionally, this city was expanding way faster than the municipal capacity could handle. In this article, you will learn about Durban’s fight against this situation and how Durban set the global standard for providing water and sanitation for the poor.
Why Do Many Developing Countries Ignore the Water and Sanitation Needs of the Poor?
In many developing countries the water and sanitation needs of the residents pouring in from the countryside to seek jobs are ignored. This happens because the systems and leaders in these countries are influenced by class neglect and cost considerations. The newcomers from the countryside often crowd dirty and dangerous slums. They also spend too much of their time appealing to city governments for basic sanitation and water. Without proper arrangements for water and sanitation, these people use contaminated water much of it collected from rooftops. They also defecate in the horror show open pits. You saw how many developing countries ignore the water and sanitation needs of the poor. Now, let’s see How Durban set the global standard for providing water and sanitation for the poor?
Also Read: Water Storage in Mumbai Starts With a Park Bench
How Durban Set the Global Standard for Providing Water and Sanitation for the Poor?
Durban has worked to set up community ablution block public washrooms and these aren’t like a usual public washroom. They use ordinary marine cargo containers and refit their insides with running water in sinks and wash basins, showers, and toilets. This city has nearly 2,500 ablution blocks installed in many of its informal settlements. In such settlements, homes are made of scrap wood and corrugated metal. They don’t even have running water or toilets. The city has funds to install and fabricates more ablution blocks annually.
The city is also aiming to turn human waste into usable compost. It’s also trying other ways of disposing of feces and urine without using fresh water to do so. The best part of this city if sits an unwavering commitment to actually providing waste services as well as water to the poor. Even its city leaders think that it’s their moral responsibility to provide fresh water, clean toilets, and showers to the city’s informal settlements. This is how Durban set the global standard for providing water and sanitation for the poor.
What Did the City Leaders Do to Provide Water and Sanitation for the Poor?
The city leaders of Durban also developed working partnerships with war leaders to recruit citizen support as well as feedback for improving programs. For instance, the leadership groups decide the location of ablution blocks with settlements. A separate city office is also building permanent apartment buildings with contemporary running water in bathrooms and kitchens and flush toilets. These are sometimes built-in wards where ablution blocks exist. In many such wards, the washrooms are seen as priced possession.
