Sanitation and Waste to Value for Informal Settlements : A field study in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract: Access to adequate sanitation and renewable clean energy can improve the living standards in developing communities in informal settlements. This can also generate effects such as reduced unemployment and better health, which in turn can contribute to less violence and less segregation. This work was conducted as a pre-study within a bigger project which includes the development of a new sanitation system intended to provide renewable energy, proper toilets and create job opportunities in Jackson, an informal settlement in Gauteng, South Africa. The objectives of this study were to identify the strengths, (S), weaknesses, (W), opportunities, (O) and threats, (T) that an implementation of a new sanitation system could face from a sustainability point of view. Investigations were made to define currently used energy sources, sanitation facilities, and the socio-economic situation. To be able to reach the objectives of the research question, data were collected through a workshop with a focus group and distributions of questionnaires in the study area were made. Through the sustainability SWOT-analysis, the main advantages and disadvantages which the continuance of the project can face were identified. The results indicate that the biggest threats and weaknesses are strongly connected to the people’s acceptability of a new sanitation system, while the opportunities and strengths are linked to the possibilities to increase the present low living standards in Jackson.