Page 15 - Notes from LRC's Housing Conference

3.4. Policy documents refer to
a) White Paper on Basic Household Sanitation, 2007
• Purpose – creates a framework for sustainable sanitation in South Africa.
• Whatever system is provided must be affordable, easily accessible, hygienic and must not have an unacceptable impact on the environment.
• The ideal is that each household should have a toilet.
b) Strategic Framework for Water Services, 2003
• Placed a universal obligation of provision of water services to people, including residents living on private- ly-owned land.
• Water Services Authority must decide on some form of technology.
c) Indigent Policies
• Every municipality must have an indigent policy to provide basic services for those people who cannot afford to pay for the service.
• Encourage people to apply in terms of the indigent policies to ensure that they receive water and sanitation services.
d) Section 24 of the Constitution
• The right to an environment that is healthy and not harmful.
• Places an obligation on the municipality to deliver a waste management plan.
• Part B of Schedule 4 of the Constitution makes provision for water supply and sanitation services.
• National and provincial government must ensure that the municipalities have sufficient resources and capacity to provide the services.
e) Domestic Waste Collection Standard
• Section 4.6 sets out standards for waste collection; non-recyclables must be removed once a week.
• Recyclables must be removed twice a week.
• Section 9 – there should be weekly waste collection.
• Section 8 – appointment of a Waste Management Officer to deal with complaints from the community. Timeline for responding to complaints is 24hrs and the waste management officer must keep a register of all complaints from communities.
SUMMARY NOTES FROM THE HOUSING CONFERENCE
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