Sanitation
Sanitation is the industry sector concerned with the safe collection, treatment, disposal and reuse of human waste, wastewater and solid refuse to protect public health and the environment. The sector encompasses the design, construction, operation and maintenance of sewerage networks, wastewater treatment plants, on-site sanitation systems such as septic tanks and pit latrines, and stormwater drainage infrastructure. Sanitation services are typically provided by municipal utilities, regional water boards or specialised public agencies, though private-sector participation in operations and maintenance is growing in many African markets. Access to adequate sanitation remains a critical development challenge across sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of people rely on rudimentary facilities or practise open defecation, contributing to waterborne disease outbreaks and environmental degradation. Investment in sanitation infrastructure is closely linked to water supply, urban planning and public health policy, and is often bundled with water services under integrated water and sanitation authorities. The sector is capital-intensive, requiring sustained government funding, development finance and increasingly public-private partnerships to extend coverage and upgrade ageing systems. Sanitation also intersects with resource recovery and the circular economy, as modern treatment technologies enable the extraction of biogas, fertiliser and reclaimed water from waste streams. Regulatory frameworks typically mandate minimum service standards, effluent quality limits and tariff structures to ensure affordability and environmental compliance. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 calls for universal access to adequate and equitable sanitation by 2030, driving policy attention and donor support across the continent.
Sanitation Updates
Joburg’s water, sanitation infrastructure investment needs to double 
By: Natasha Odendaal 30th July 2026 Despite the magnitude of the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ’s) existing sewer and water network, infrastructure will need to double over the next ten... →
An action plan to end the water crisis once and for all
27th July 2026 Dear Fellow South African, Last week, I spoke about our commitment to give effect to the constitutional right of access to water for all South... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, at the meeting of the National Water Crisis Committee, Union Buildings, Pretoria (23/07/2026)
24th July 2026 By acting boldly and decisively to improve the performance of Eskom and reform our energy system, we were able to end load shedding and achieve a... →
National Water Access Acceleration Programme officially launched
By: Natasha Odendaal 20th July 2026 South Africa has launched the National Water Access Acceleration Programme, through the decentralised water supply schemes, amid the need to expand... →
Cogta Committee Concerned By Late Payment Of Service Providers By Some Kzn Provincial Government Departments
10th July 2026 The Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration (Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements and Water & Sanitation) has... →
ActionSA Welcomes Public Protector Findings Exposing DA's Systematic Neglect of Langa and Khayelitsha
7th July 2026 ActionSA welcomes the Public Protector's damning findings that the City of Cape Town, under successive DA administrations, systematically failed to... →
The City’s Annual Tariff Hikes Come Into Effect, Placing Residents Under Financial Strain
1st July 2026 Today, residents of the City of Johannesburg wake up to the reality of above-inflation tariff increases coming into effect on 1 July 2026. This... →
The City’s Annual Tariff Hikes Come Into Effect, Placing Residents Under Financial Strain
1st July 2026 Today, residents of the City of Johannesburg wake up to the reality of above-inflation tariff increases coming into effect on 1 July 2026. This... →
BRICS Bank lends South Africa $1bn for cities, report says
By: Bloomberg 17th June 2026 New Development Bank is lending South Africa $1-billion for the State to upgrade infrastructure in its eight biggest cities, Business Day reported.... →
AfriForum heads to court to halt Johannesburg Metro’s unlawful water levy
12th June 2026 The City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality’s continued refusal to explain or justify its controversial 65,6% increase in the water demand... →
