Comments on: We can’t wait: Solving the world’s sanitation crisis on a global scale

By: Ruth Cottingham

Ruth Cottingham — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 07:44:27 +0000

Thanks Mike! I will put you in contact via email with the right person to speak to about the specifics of the containerised ablution blocks.

By: Mike Dooley

Mike Dooley — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 14:50:25 +0000

Great work Ruth! Where can I find the info or specifics on the self contained units within your community ablution blocks you have in place and your processing? I may have some ideas to assist in resolving some the challenges you are facing.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Mike

By: Ruth Cottingham

Ruth Cottingham — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 07:44:05 +0000

All – thanks for the comments! We are really excited to be involved in this work.

Sanitation is a worldwide challenge, regardless of the country you’re in. For the 2.5 billion people we talk about above it’s a daily and very personal issue. In places where you can ‘flush and forget’ the problems are perhaps more hidden to the general public, but that ‘waste’ is often still causing massive issues downstream and/or is a potential resource that we’re not utilising.

Eileen – completely agree. Related to that, there was also some really interesting work done here on how people viewed their toilets: they aren’t just functional places you go to to attend the call of nature, but they’re also somewhere to go and have some peace (especially in a big household), to think, read etc! Something to think about when designing for purpose and/or when thinking about sanitation markets.

Culley – that’s really interesting work and it would be great to talk further, I will email you. We can also help with the cost data you mention.

Thanks all – looking forward to talking further!

By: Arvin M

Arvin M — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 14:15:22 +0000

Awesome Ruth, represent Durban Buddy!…….whoop whoop 🙂

By: Culley Thomas

Culley Thomas — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 21:13:55 +0000

Ruth, I will be working on multi-sectoral greenhouse gas reduction plans in South Africa (Joburg) and other developing region cities and would like to discuss your insights in how to operationalize sanitation improvements in the informal sector. It would be good to touch base in the new year. Our work in Joburg starts in mid-February.

I also am looking for wastewater treatment infrastructure cost data for Africa in general.

Culley

By: Muhammad Khan

Muhammad Khan — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 10:52:23 +0000

when I saw the picture of the informal settlement pop up on myaecom, my first thought was that these exist all over the world! Hats off to the Water team for helping make a difference in South Africa.

By: Mohammed Hnaeef

Mohammed Hnaeef — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 06:36:13 +0000

Great efforts.
I have seen similar shelter on my way to Cape Town from Johannesburg when I was in South Africa in July, 2015.

By: Eileen Ma

Eileen Ma — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 01:26:13 +0000

Ruth, Thank you so much for the outstanding work you have done. In the developed world, people take it for granted, but I know exactly what it was like without proper sanitation facilities. To this date, my nightmare (literally, in my dreams) is always that I can’t find a clean toilet!