Innovative sanitation technology for rural development

In South Africa, waterborne sanitation is often perceived as the standard sanitation solution. However, given the scarcity of water resources, as well as, the extreme financial constraints under which local government operates, waterborne sanitation for all remains a challenge and not an easily attainable goal. In many of the unserved, primarily rural areas, the recommended sanitation option is the Ventilated Improved Pit-latrines or its derivatives.  The Pour Flush Sanitation or Latrine concept, funded and developed by the Water Research Commission, aims to provide an alternative that bridges the gap between waterborne sanitation and pit latrine. This technology, while affording all the conveniences of waterborne toilets, has a water seal and requires up to one litre of pour or manual flush using water or greywater.  This policy brief contextualises the uptake of Pour Flush alternative sanitation technology and how this could be implemented in the rural municipalities in South Africa.