A sanitation technology demonstration centre to enhance decision making in South Africa

Limited understanding of the characteristics of different sanitation technology options may affect acceptance of certain technologies in certain circumstances, as well as lead to little appreciation by the users of the long-term financial, environmental and institutional implications of operating and maintaining the various sanitation systems. In South Africa, this has resulted in disturbing increases in the numbers of poorly operated and maintained sanitation technologies across South Africa. The need to establish a facility where people could acquaint themselves with the various sanitation systems was recognised by the CSIR and WRC who made funding available for the establishment of the Sanitation Technology Demonstration Centre at the CSIR. This Centre is aimed at informing local, provincial and national authority officials, NGO’s, CBO’s, consultants, schools, universities, and importantly, communities themselves in order for them to make informed and educated decisions and choices regarding sanitation technologies.