Chemical toilets cleaned more often, more water supplied to townships
Residents of formal townships have also enjoyed uninterrupted water and sanitation services
The City of Ekurhuleni is observing National Sanitation and Hygiene Month this month with a bolstered resolve to use good hygiene and decent sanitation to beat the spread of Covid-19.
“As part of Covid-19 intervention measures, working with the national Department of Water and Sanitation, the City has distributed 173 water storage tanks to informal settlements,” Themba Gadebe, metro spokesperson.
“Seven water tanker trucks were also supplied to increase the City’s capacity to fill tanks regularly. This will increase access to water to enable all citizens to practise good hygiene. The frequent washing of hands has been touted as the most important activity to prevent becoming infected with Covid-19 and curb the spread of the virus.”
Gadebe also said another measure the City had implemented in informal settlements was increasing the frequency of draining and cleaning of chemical toilets from between four and six times a month, to eight times a month.
“Residents of formal townships have also enjoyed uninterrupted water and sanitation services for the duration of level five lockdown and are assured of the same for the duration of level four,” said Gadebe.
“This is due to the City only conducting essential repair work on its network and the suspension of planned maintenance activities. The purpose of National Sanitation and Hygiene Month is to promote the importance of sanitation and encourage local governments and communities to prioritise sanitation, health and hygiene.”
Ekurhuleni residents are encouraged to participate in National Sanitation and Hygiene Month by keeping good hygiene practices like frequent washing of hands and cleaning their living spaces regularly. Such practices must develop into lifelong habits, not only to curb Covid-19 but also to prevent the spread of other forms of infections and diseases.
