Citizens must value toilets for better health

THE Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has called on South Africans to value their sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of illnesses in communities.

This comes as the global community commemorates World Toilet Day, which is observed annually on 19 November.

ALSO READ: North coast waters are angling hot spot

DWS spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said World Toilet Day aims to raise awareness of the significance of dignified and safely-managed sanitation facilities.

It also aims to inspire action in tackling global sanitation challenges to help achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which promises sanitation for all by 2030 and beyond.

‘We are calling on all residents to have renewed relationships with their toilets. What we have found over time is that conversations about toilets are uncomfortable.

‘Unfortunately, this is a conversation we can no longer put off as a department, especially now as the world is faced with a global pandemic, ‘said Ratau.

Ratau explained that poor sanitation facilities have detrimental effects on the health of children and adults with underlying health conditions, and can lead to other health problems such as dehydration, anemia, and malnutrition.

‘A poorly-kept toilet has devastating consequences not only for one’s health, but also for the environment, particularly in the poorest and most marginalised communities,’ he said.

‘It is for this reason that the department is advocating for a new vision and approach to sanitation services provision, which entails the notion that it should not all be about flushing, but effectively-managed sanitation,’ he said.

He said the need to value toilets is of paramount importance as they are an integral part of people’s livelihoods and deserve a decent social status.

‘The department is aware that there are still approximately 2.8 million South African households without access to improved sanitation services, and it is working tirelessly to ensure access improves,’ Ratau said.