Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor)Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)Hlongwane, P.2022-02-182022-02-182021Hlongwane , P. 2021. Minimising Groundwater Contamination from Pit Latrines: Lessons from the Global Amphitheatre for South Africa. Proceedings of the International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 198-206.<http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1674>.978-0-620-92730-7 (print)978-0-620-92751-2 (e-book)http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1674Journal articles published in the 6th International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 06-08 October 2021, Virtual Conference.Pit latrines or toilets are considered to be suitable for the containment of human excreta and they are environment-friendly. Although previous studies have shown that there are some improvements in terms of access to sanitation, the reality is that most South African households still do not have access to sanitation facilities. At least 32.2% of households in South Africa are still using pit latrines. Despite the advantages of pit latrines, the constant outflow from pits could overpercolate the geological strata and contaminate the groundwater. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to reflect on lessons that South Africa can draw from the global arena with regard to reducing groundwater pollution from pit latrines. Concerning the method used to collect data - a review of scholarly peer-reviewed articles and non-scholarly documents such as newspaper reports was used. This paper explains how pit latrines contaminate groundwater as well as discuss the chemical contaminants associated with pit latrines. Importantly, this paper argues that the measures that can be taken to address challenges pertaining to groundwater contamination include operation and maintenance, improved pit and slab design, and setting safe distances between boreholes and pit latrines. Since pit latrines seem to contribute greatly to the contamination of groundwater, transferring bacteria and viruses, it is important for the government (municipalities in particular) to sensitise people about the health hazards associated with the use of pit latrines while also using groundwater for consumption. At the same time, communities who use pit latrines and boreholes for drinking water have to be educated about the need to maintain proper distances between pit latrines and boreholes.1 online resource (8 pages)enBoreholeUCTDChlorideFaecal coliformGroundwaterNitratePit latrinesArticleHlongwane P. Minimising Groundwater Contamination from Pit Latrines: Lessons from the Global Amphitheatre for South Africa. 2021; http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1674.Hlongwane, P. (2021). Minimising Groundwater Contamination from Pit Latrines: Lessons from the Global Amphitheatre for South Africa. http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1674Hlongwane, P. "Minimising Groundwater Contamination from Pit Latrines: Lessons from the Global Amphitheatre for South Africa." (2021) http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1674TY - Article AU - Hlongwane, P. AB - Pit latrines or toilets are considered to be suitable for the containment of human excreta and they are environment-friendly. Although previous studies have shown that there are some improvements in terms of access to sanitation, the reality is that most South African households still do not have access to sanitation facilities. At least 32.2% of households in South Africa are still using pit latrines. Despite the advantages of pit latrines, the constant outflow from pits could overpercolate the geological strata and contaminate the groundwater. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to reflect on lessons that South Africa can draw from the global arena with regard to reducing groundwater pollution from pit latrines. Concerning the method used to collect data - a review of scholarly peer-reviewed articles and non-scholarly documents such as newspaper reports was used. This paper explains how pit latrines contaminate groundwater as well as discuss the chemical contaminants associated with pit latrines. Importantly, this paper argues that the measures that can be taken to address challenges pertaining to groundwater contamination include operation and maintenance, improved pit and slab design, and setting safe distances between boreholes and pit latrines. Since pit latrines seem to contribute greatly to the contamination of groundwater, transferring bacteria and viruses, it is important for the government (municipalities in particular) to sensitise people about the health hazards associated with the use of pit latrines while also using groundwater for consumption. At the same time, communities who use pit latrines and boreholes for drinking water have to be educated about the need to maintain proper distances between pit latrines and boreholes. DA - 2021 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Borehole KW - Chloride KW - Faecal coliform KW - Groundwater KW - Nitrate KW - Pit latrines LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2021 SM - 978-0-620-92730-7 (print) SM - 978-0-620-92751-2 (e-book) T1 - Minimising Groundwater Contamination from Pit Latrines: Lessons from the Global Amphitheatre for South Africa TI - Minimising Groundwater Contamination from Pit Latrines: Lessons from the Global Amphitheatre for South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1674 ER -