A short comparative history of wells and toilets in South Africa and Finland

Johannes Haarhoff,Petri Juuti,Harri Mäki

doi:10.4102/td.v2i1.310

Abstract

This paper describes the technological development of wells and toilets and the cultural practices related to them in two countries, South Africa and Finland, from the Middle Ages to modern times. Wells and toilets have always been linked to the well-being of humans and they still are the most common technical systems in the service of mankind. They are simple to build, but if they are constructed improperly or stop functioning properly, they may endanger the health of both humans and the environment. The solutions used for getting clean water or for disposal of excrement have always been a matter of life and death for human settlements. Located on opposite sides of the world, the climate and natural resources of South Africa and Finland are very different. However, surprisingly similar solutions, for example wind turbines to pump water, have been used in rural areas. Furthermore, urbanization and industrialization occurred in both countries at approximately the same time in the 19th century, which caused increasing environmental problems in Finnish and South African urban areas. The transition to modern water supply and waste disposal systems was a very demanding process for municipal administrations in both countries.

Highlights

This paper describes the technological development of wells and toilets and the cultural practices related to them in two countries, South Africa and Finland, from the Middle Ages to modern times
A more elaborate arrangement was to dig more than one well close to each other, increasing the water production rate. The importance of such wateringpoints are reflected in the indigenous languages of South Africa – a strong water source was known as ‘the womb’ and an area which allowed more than one well at the same point was known as a ‘stomach’ (Van der Merwe, 1945b, 105, 259)
The oldest remaining wells and toilets are usually found in castles – both in Finland and South Africa

Summary

Windlass well whinch or reel

In the countryside, watering livestock formed the major part of the water consumption. A more elaborate arrangement was to dig more than one well close to each other, increasing the water production rate The importance of such wateringpoints are reflected in the indigenous languages of South Africa – a strong water source was known as ‘the womb’ and an area which allowed more than one well at the same point was known as a ‘stomach’ (Van der Merwe, 1945b, 105, 259). Illustration 4b A typical wind turbine in the Northwestern Cape, South Africa, on the farm Nanibees, Brandvlei District. Choosing the water closet for the primary system in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century effectively stalled the product development of dry compost and compost toilets for over a hundred years (Mattila 2005, 41; Juuti & Wallenius 2005, 29). Choosing the water closet for the primary system in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century effectively stalled the product development of dry compost and compost toilets for over a hundred years (Mattila 2005, 41; Juuti & Wallenius 2005, 29). (See Table 6)

Method

Findings

Discussion and Conclusions