Sanitation – Asivikelane https://asivikelane.org Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:01:22 +0000 en-ZA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.9 Managing WASH infrastructure across local governments: a comparative case study of Indonesian, South African and Swiss municipalities https://asivikelane.org/managing-wash-infrastructure-across-local-governments-a-comparative-case-study-of-indonesian-south-african-and-swiss-municipalities/ https://asivikelane.org/managing-wash-infrastructure-across-local-governments-a-comparative-case-study-of-indonesian-south-african-and-swiss-municipalities/#respond Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:01:19 +0000 https://asivikelane.org/?p=9846 This research, published by the Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management and co-written by Asivikelane, looks at how local governments manage water, sanitation and health infrastructure, also known as WASH. It highlights common challenges and suggests ways to improve these services so they better meet the needs of communities.

Download the PDF
]]> https://asivikelane.org/managing-wash-infrastructure-across-local-governments-a-comparative-case-study-of-indonesian-south-african-and-swiss-municipalities/feed/ 0 Innovative sanitation solutions for sustainable development https://asivikelane.org/innovative-sanitation-solutions-for-sustainable-development/ https://asivikelane.org/innovative-sanitation-solutions-for-sustainable-development/#respond Sat, 01 Aug 2026 11:51:28 +0000 https://asivikelane.org/?p=9832 Published by the City of Joburg Human Settlements Department, this publication explores innovative sanitation solutions for informal settlements and contributes to the growing body of knowledge on inclusive, sustainable sanitation options. Our learning paper, which includes practical recommendations for transforming how municipalities manage temporary sanitation, is featured on page 50.

Download the PDF
]]> https://asivikelane.org/innovative-sanitation-solutions-for-sustainable-development/feed/ 0 Managing temporary sanitation in informal settlements: Lessons from Asivikelane https://asivikelane.org/managing-temporary-sanitation-in-informal-settlements-lessons-from-asivikelane/ https://asivikelane.org/managing-temporary-sanitation-in-informal-settlements-lessons-from-asivikelane/#respond Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:36:23 +0000 https://asivikelane.org/?p=9758 The delivery of permanent sanitation infrastructure struggles to keep pace with the rapid growth of informal settlements. Cities rely on short-term solutions while waiting for permanent infrastructure. But “temporary” toilets often last for years, with billions spent on solutions costing more than permanent infrastructure. Based on years of systematic evidence collection and community engagement, we’ve identified six practical recommendations that can transform how municipalities manage temporary sanitation.

Download the PDF
]]> https://asivikelane.org/managing-temporary-sanitation-in-informal-settlements-lessons-from-asivikelane/feed/ 0 A quarter of residents still don’t have access to a municipal provided toilet https://asivikelane.org/a-quarter-of-residents-still-dont-have-access-to-a-municipal-provided-toilet/ https://asivikelane.org/a-quarter-of-residents-still-dont-have-access-to-a-municipal-provided-toilet/#respond Wed, 10 Dec 2025 14:19:48 +0000 https://asivikelane.org/?p=9211 In March 2025, we asked 5,308 residents across 202 informal settlements in 8 municipalities what type of toilet they use. Only 10% of residents have flush toilets, the remainder use self-dug pit toilets, chemical toilets, Ventilated Improved Pit toilets, porta pottis or bucket toilets.

Download the PDF
]]> https://asivikelane.org/a-quarter-of-residents-still-dont-have-access-to-a-municipal-provided-toilet/feed/ 0 Manage temporary sanitation in informal settlements https://asivikelane.org/manage-temporary-sanitation-in-informal-settlements-lessons-from-asivikelane/ https://asivikelane.org/manage-temporary-sanitation-in-informal-settlements-lessons-from-asivikelane/#respond Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:40:07 +0000 https://asivikelane.org/?p=8959 Urban municipalities often struggle to provide permanent sanitation to informal settlements, relying on temporary solutions like chemical toilets and VIP latrines. These often face issues such as high costs, poor maintenance, and community rejection, remaining in place long-term despite their shortcomings. In our latest learning paper, Asivikelane’s insights highlight solutions to improve sanitation and address the lack of municipal planning for permanent infrastructure.

Download the PDF
]]> https://asivikelane.org/manage-temporary-sanitation-in-informal-settlements-lessons-from-asivikelane/feed/ 0 Provision of sanitation in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality https://asivikelane.org/provision-of-sanitation-in-the-mangaung-metropolitan-municipality/ https://asivikelane.org/provision-of-sanitation-in-the-mangaung-metropolitan-municipality/#respond Mon, 04 Nov 2024 11:32:00 +0000 https://asivikelane.org/?p=8658 This detailed brief looks at the availability of communal water and sanitation services across 6 informal settlements in Mangaung and asks residents what their interim sanitation needs are.

Download the PDF
]]> https://asivikelane.org/provision-of-sanitation-in-the-mangaung-metropolitan-municipality/feed/ 0 Informal settlement taps and toilets in Buffalo City https://asivikelane.org/summary-of-key-results-of-communal-services-for-buffalo-city-metropolitan-municipalitys-informal-settlements/ https://asivikelane.org/summary-of-key-results-of-communal-services-for-buffalo-city-metropolitan-municipalitys-informal-settlements/#respond Tue, 01 Oct 2024 11:36:12 +0000 https://asivikelane.org/?p=8666 Asivikelane mapped broken communal flush toilets, taps and standpipes across 10 informal settlements to determine the extent of damaged infrastructure. We share this information with the metro to help improve access to water and sanitation and make recommendations for fault reporting mechanisms.

Download the PDF
]]> https://asivikelane.org/summary-of-key-results-of-communal-services-for-buffalo-city-metropolitan-municipalitys-informal-settlements/feed/ 0 Ventilated Improved Pit toilets in informal settlements in the City of Johannesburg https://asivikelane.org/summary-of-key-results-of-the-state-of-ventilated-improved-pit-toilets-in-informal-settlements-in-the-city-of-johannesburg/ https://asivikelane.org/summary-of-key-results-of-the-state-of-ventilated-improved-pit-toilets-in-informal-settlements-in-the-city-of-johannesburg/#respond Fri, 20 Sep 2024 11:38:00 +0000 https://asivikelane.org/?p=8669 Ventilated Improved Pit toilets are a critical intervention to ensure that residents in informal settlements have access to dignified and safe sanitation. Asivikelane recommends which policies are needed to provide for the lifespan of these toilets, how to repair and maintain them and when and how they should be decommissioned.

Download the PDF
]]> https://asivikelane.org/summary-of-key-results-of-the-state-of-ventilated-improved-pit-toilets-in-informal-settlements-in-the-city-of-johannesburg/feed/ 0 Let’s make sanitation accessible to all https://asivikelane.org/11-september-2023/ https://asivikelane.org/11-september-2023/#respond Mon, 11 Sep 2023 11:42:29 +0000 https://asivikelane.org/?p=4298 Sanitation availability has improved in Knysna and Stellenbosch. But communal toilets are not accessible to everyone, and residents urge municipalities to improve sanitation access, hygiene and safety.

Download the Knysna PDF
Download the data for Knysna
Download the Stellenbosch PDF
Download the data for Stellenbosch
]]> https://asivikelane.org/11-september-2023/feed/ 0 Women in Knysna and Stellenbosch need safe sanitation https://asivikelane.org/asivikelane-western-cape-10-knysna-and-stellenbosch-women-need-safe-sanitation/ https://asivikelane.org/asivikelane-western-cape-10-knysna-and-stellenbosch-women-need-safe-sanitation/#respond Mon, 20 Mar 2023 08:44:00 +0000 https://asivikelane.org/?p=8112 40% of women in Knysna’s informal settlements use chemical toilets. For many of them, this is an unsafe form of sanitation. In Stellenbosch, the solid waste collection service has deteriorated, exposing residents to numerous health risks. We advise both municipalities on how to fix these service delivery issues.

Download the Knysna PDF
Download the data for Knysna
Download the Stellenbosch PDF
Download the data for Stellenbosch
]]> https://asivikelane.org/asivikelane-western-cape-10-knysna-and-stellenbosch-women-need-safe-sanitation/feed/ 0