BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE SANITATION INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Keywords:
Sanitation, Sustainable, Circular Economy, Climate Change, WastewaterAbstract
It is becoming increasingly recognised that poorly managed sanitation and wastewater
systems are not only a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), but
climate change also poses a serious threat to existing sanitation infrastructure and the
public health progress made over the years. Households that have gained access to basic
or safely managed sanitation services risk losing them during extreme climate-related
disasters such as floods, droughts, and rising temperatures. This vulnerability will continue
to prevail unless there is a shift towards emphasising that the design, selection, and
implementation of sanitation systems must incorporate considerations for mitigating
potential risks. There is an urgent need to research, develop, and demonstrate innovative
sanitation technologies that are climate-resilient, environmentally sustainable, and promote
circular economy principles within the sanitation value chain. Recognising this, the Water
Research Commission (WRC) has prioritised research and innovation linking climate
change and sanitation through the South African Sanitation Enterprise Programme
(SASTEP). Through SASTEP, the WRC is actively evaluating and demonstrating cuttingedge sanitation technologies that are off-grid, climate-resilient, and support a circular
economy by promoting water efficiency, wastewater reuse, and nutrient recovery from
human waste. Most of these technologies are highly rated for climate resilience and are
both mitigative and adaptive in addressing climate change challenges. These innovative
solutions should be considered when selecting sanitation systems, particularly as part of
long-term strategies that take future climatic projections into account. Doing so will ensure
the establishment of sustainable, resilient sanitation systems that protect public health in
the face of climate change.
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