Policies and Guidelines
- National Sanitation Policy
- Waste Management Policies – Groundwater
- Policy on Water Use Licencing
- Interpretative Guide for Sanitation
- Marine Water Quality Guidelines
- Domestic Water Quality Guidelines
National Sanitation Policy
Sanitation can encompass a wide range of activities, many of which require government policy guidance. In order to make an immediate contribution, this document concentrates on the most pressing of issues, namely the safe disposal of human waste and domestic waste water in conjunction with appropriate health and hygiene practices.
There are a number of related issues that require policy and direction, in particular the management and disposal of domestic and other solid waste. Recognising that there are constraints on the rate of progress that can be made, this document is intended as one more step on the long road of improving the quality of life of the people of our country.
Waste Management Policies – Groundwater
Traditionally, groundwater has been the only source of water supply in most of South Africa’s rural areas making up about 65 per cent of our total supply. It will, however,
be impossible to meet – in a cost-effective way and using water from dams and piped surface water supplies – the needs of eight million people in approximately 15000
settlements. In recognition of its new-found importance in South Africa, groundwater has been brought into the public trust domain by way of the new National Water
Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998).
Policy on Water Use Licencing
The National Water Act (Act no. 36 of 1998) requires the licensing of stream flow reduction activities (SFRAs) as one of several forms of water use (Section 36). A stream flow reduction activity is “… any activity (including the cultivation of any particular crop or other vegetation) … [that] … is likely to reduce the availability of water in a watercourse to the Reserve, to meet international obligations, or to other water users significantly” (NWA Section 36(2)). By implication, the definition of a SFRA is limited to land-based activities.
Interpretative Guide for Sanitation
Many people believe that good sanitation means water borne sanitation. This is not necessarily true. Effective sanitation focuses on people and behavior, not only infrastructure. The emphasis should be on health and hygiene improvements to ensure the long-term maintenance of public health. Good sanitation can be achieved through a range of technical options, but only when coupled with good health, hygiene and sanitation promotion, which provides end-users with the information, they require managing their health and their environment in the most effective way.