Residents of 7de Laan informal settlement in Strandfontein are the latest beneficiaries of a high-tech, off-grid sanitation solution. This pioneering initiative was made possible through a partnership between the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, the Water Research Commission (WRC) and the Gates Foundation.

This handover is the third of five pilot installations being introduced across the metro. The project aims to test innovative, self-sustaining flush toilet systems in informal settlements, providing residents with safe, dignified and environmentally-friendly sanitation. The 7de Laan informal settlement is home to around 50 households. Previously, the City’s Informal Settlement and Basic Services (ISBS) branch provided three chemical toilets, 17 container toilets and 78 portable flush toilets (PFTs).

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, joined Ward Councillor Elton-Enrique Jansen, representatives from WRC, Prana Aquonic Treatment System (ATS), Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and other project partners to hand over the new facility to the community.

‘This is a momentous occasion for the City and the residents of 7de Laan as new sanitation innovations raise the bar for dignified sanitation. We now look to the community to use the facility responsibly, ensuring it is kept clean and in good condition. This solution provides access to dignified sanitation to residents living in informal settlements. However, its success depends on responsible use by only flushing the three Ps: pee, poo, and paper,’ said Councillor Badroodien.

The new installation features two refurbished shipping containers, each housing five full-flush toilets. Each toilet cubicle is fitted with a wash basin, sanitary bins and accessible options for people living with disabilities, including a wheelchair ramp.

The facility operates entirely off-grid, powered by solar and wind energy, and includes a modular treatment plant that recycles wastewater into pathogen-free water for reuse in flushing. This removes the need for bulk sewer connections, making it an ideal solution for areas with limited infrastructure.

A trained local technical assistant and janitor will be responsible for daily maintenance and cleanliness, supported by the technology provider, Prana, during the first year.

The final two pilot systems are currently under construction in OR Tambo informal settlement (Khayelitsha) and Rasta Camp (Ocean View), scheduled for completion in October 2025. The outcomes of these pilots will determine whether the City can roll this innovation out more widely across informal settlements.