World Toilet Day – Contaminated groundwater can lead to the poor water quality

World Toilet Day is observed every year on November 19, despite the fact that it is not the most glamorous day.

This day is about educating people and taking action to address the global sanitation crisis, with the goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

The impact of the sanitation crisis on groundwater is the theme for 2022.

As a country with many pit latrines, it is critical to try to prevent the spread of human waste through ground water into our streams, rivers, and soil, further polluting underground resources.

“It is estimated that South Africa has approximately 4 million pit latrines.  Pit latrines can contaminate ground water if not properly maintained. These toilets can also pose a health risk to those who use them, especially if they are overflowing. It’s unfortunate that in some schools, this is the only form of accessible sanitation available to children,” says Bronwyn Ragavan, Organico’s brand manager.

Ragavan believes that protecting groundwater is an important step in water conservation because human waste infiltration can be harmful to our most valuable natural resource.

Groundwater is the most abundant source of freshwater on the planet, supporting drinking water supplies, sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, and ecosystems. When this becomes polluted, a domino effect occurs, resulting in disease, a lack of clean drinking water, and the destruction of ecosystems.

“There are numerous steps that South Africans can take to help prevent contamination, and many of them don’t require heavy lifting or a lot of time,” Ragavan adds.

Ways in which each of us can help protect our groundwater include:

• Reduce the use of chemicals and ensure that they are properly stored so that they do not contaminate the environment. Learn how to properly dispose of and store chemicals.
• Manage and care for pit latrines properly to avoid the spread of human waste through groundwater and to aid in disease prevention. Using an organic product like Organico to sanitize pit latrines and help breakdown and dissolve organic waste can help reduce ground water pollution. Organico can also be used in the home to reduce the amount of fresh water used when flushing.
• Choose low-water-use plants and keep pesticides and fertilizers to a minimum in your yard. Reduce runoff, which can transport chemicals into surface and groundwater.
• Educating children on the proper use of water is the first step toward ensuring that future generations understand the importance of protecting what we have. Schools with pit latrines must educate their students not only on proper use, but also on the importance of not contaminating ground water and keeping the latrines safe and clean.
• This World Toilet Day, teach your family and friends about the value of groundwater and what they can do to help limit pollution.

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