The management of greywater in the non-sewered areas of South Africa

Abstract

The management of greywater in the non-sewered areas of South Africa has been identified as a key area of research owing to the fact that very little, if any, provision has been made for it. Without water-borne sanitation, the disposal of greywater becomes a problem that has the potential to create a host of environmental and health problems, and this is particularly evident in the high density informal settlements that surround the major South African cities. The main aim of this study was to understand the use and disposal of greywater in the non-sewered areas in South Africa, determine typical quantities and qualities, and develop a preliminary guide for its management, both in terms of reducing health and environmental risks as well as possibly providing benefits through controlled reuse.