South Africa

The Department of Water and Sanitation, custodian of South Africa’s water sources, prioritises the provision of a continuous and sustainable safe drinking water supply. Achieving this mandate or mission is however challenging as many countries located in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, are currently experiencing severe water shortages and drought conditions. Rainwater has thus been earmarked by the South African Government as an alternative water supply and for food production.

The Department of Microbiology (Stellenbosch University, SUN) will primarily be involved in the WATERSPOUTT project in South Africa, where new integrated solar technologies for rainwater treatment (WP1) will be designed and analysed in the peri-urban informal settlement, Enkanini. The base-line socio-economic survey as well as the shared dialogue focus group workshops (WP5) will be conducted in collaboration with the Enkanini Research Centre.

Enkanini, Western Cape, South Africa

Enkanini is the largest informal settlement in Stellenbosch (Western Cape, South Africa). Two sites have been selected for the installation of the solar disinfection water treatment technologies.

Daniel Etongo (second from right, NUIM) discussing the base-line socio-economic survey with the Enkanini Co-researchers Anathi (far left), Samela (second from left) and Sindi (far right).

Informal shack dwellings are scattered throughout Enkanini informal settlement.

Field sites selected for the installation of the solar technology in Enkanini, (A) Site one and (B) Site two.