A centre that displays various sanitation technologies has been launched on the Pretoria campus of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). This is the only open-air, permanent display centre, focusing on existing sanitation technologies. It is the only centre of its kind in South Africa and, indeed, on the African continent.

The Sanitation Technology Demonstration Centre was conceptualised and funded jointly by the CSIR and the Water Research Commission (WRC).

According to the CSIR, the purpose of the centre is to show people full-scale examples of sanitation products and technologies and to allow them to learn about various sanitation systems available in South Africa. The displays, combined with information sheets, provide valuable input in assisting decision makers regarding sanitation options appropriate for specific circumstances.

The centre is aimed at a wide range of stakeholders and role players, including officials at local, provincial and national levels, engineering consultants, developers, non-governmental organisations and community organisations. It will also serve as a centre where, for example, groups of learners can get first-hand information on how sanitation promotes healthy living by preventing the spread of sanitation-related diseases.

A comprehensive range of sanitation technologies and products is on display, including conventional systems and some alternative approaches. The CSIR explains that the range includes examples of dry sanitation, urine diversion/separation technologies, water-borne systems and ecological sanitation. Also included on the site are a number of examples provided by commercial manufacturers.

The exhibits on the Sanitation Technology Demonstration Centre are grouped in five display areas

• An area with ‘dry’ sanitation technologies that dispose of human waste without the use of water. The exhibits display some of the technology components that would normally be either concealed or located underground;
• Examples of various top structures available for the ‘dry’ sanitation technologies;
• Sanitation technologies that dispose of human waste by diverting or separating urine from faeces. The nutrients in the human excreta can be re-used as fertiliser. The exhibits in this area display some of the technology components that would normally be either concealed or located underground;
• Examples of various top structures available for the urine-diversion technologies;
• The last area displays water-borne technologies that dispose of human waste by using water as a carrier.

The technologies and products on display are not based on research and development conducted by the CSIR, and are thus not endorsed by the organisation.

All the toilets at the centre adhere to basic sanitation policy requirements, including being safe, reliable and private facilities. They are protected from the weather, ventilated to counter bad smells and easy to keep clean. These facilities minimise the risk of the spread of sanitation-related diseases and enable safe and appropriate treatment and removal of human waste in an environmentally-sound manner.