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Articles by Jay Bhagwan
Sanitation timebomb: Flushing is a luxury we can’t afford
On World Toilet Day — 19 November — we have to learn from the consequences of climate events, both floods and droughts. Many people highlight the water crisis but the issue of sanitation is downplayed. The failure of infrastructure and interruptions in water supply exacerbate the situation. On the back of this, and together with growing urbanisation, water availability is a growing crisis.
Climate Resilient Water Efficient Sanitation Technology For Toilet Equity and Peace
We live in a world where sanitation service and technology inequity is too prevalent – a world where some 3.5 billion inhabitants (2022) still do not have access to safe sanitation. On top of this come the effects of rapid urbanisation and also the impacts of climate change related events – the hurricanes, tornados, floods, droughts, and so on which are now more frequent and represent a new normal that we must deal with.
How behavioural ‘nudges’ can help people reduce water use, particularly in Johannesburg
Many places in the country already experience a Day Zero, frequented by water-shedding, interruptions, low pressure and long shut-downs for maintenance. In addition, there is sufficient evidence that South Africans’ water usage is not sustainable for a water stressed environment. Our per capita water usage is way above the world norm of about 170 litres per capita (person) per day — in Gauteng this averages about 270l/cap/day.
Fixing water leaks will help avert a national disaster
We keep emphasising that South Africa is a water-stressed country and that we are reaching the limits to the resource regarding demand and growth. Yet nearly 50% — and in some areas as much as 70% — of all treated water supplied by municipalities is lost before it reaches paying or needy customers because of failing infrastructure and governance, as well as vandalism and theft. The situation, together with poor water use behaviour by consumers, puts our habitats and security at risk.
OPINION | Lesotho tunnel shutdown: No cause for panic in Gauteng
The upcoming maintenance of the Lesotho Highlands transfer system is a routine operation, not a crisis. Jay Bhagwan and Ronnie Mckenzie demystifiy the process and reassure that Gauteng's water supply remains secure and sustainable.
OPINION | Jay Bhagwan: Where you are born determines the sanitation that you receive
The trajectory since the dawn of democracy is that many have to use a hole in the ground to relive themselves. However, there is hope on the horizon in South Africa as we grow and nurture a new sanitation paradigm – that of a non-sewered sanitation future, writes Jay Bhagwan as we mark World Toilet Day.
SanitAction: a sustainable and inclusive sanitation pathway
Lack of innovative sanitation technologies is one of the reasons why the world is making poor progress towards the SDGs in the provision of safe sanitation for all. The quest for cheap rather than cost-effective solutions results in the poor or many in the developing world receiving a hole in the ground while the rest get the gold standard of waterborne sanitation.
PANDEMIC RED FLAG OP-ED: Wastewater testing shows signs that Covid-19 fifth wave looms
In Gauteng, ongoing increases have been observed in wastewater at Rooiwal and Sandspruit (Tshwane North), Vlakplaats (Ekurhuleni South) and JP Marais (Ekurhuleni North), while stable higher levels have been observed at Daspoort (Tshwane South), Hartbeesfontein (Ekurhuleni North) and Goudkoppies (Johannesburg South). Sustained increases were observed in eThekwini (Northern and Central) and in the City of Cape Town (Borcherds Quarry and Zandvliet).
South Africa: The Covid-19 Fourth Wave Is Looming in December - Wastewater Surveillance Gives Us All the Signposts
From wastewater surveillance and analysis, all the signs are clear that South Africa is heading for a fourth wave of Covid-19 in December 2021 with Gauteng in the lead, although the scale and extent cannot be predicted.
VIRAL WARNING OP-ED: The Covid-19 fourth wave is looming in December: Wastewater surveillance gives us all the signposts
In June 2021, the Water Research Commission (WRC) published a science brief based on its National Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) Surveillance Programme with implementation partners, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the South African Collaborative Covid-19 Surveillance System (SACCESS) network.
OPINION | Sudhir Pillay, Gina Pocock, Jay Bhagwan: Your poop tells no lies - tracing Covid-19 spread
Toilets in the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela informal settlement. Aljoscha Kohlstock Wastewater monitoring is used in many countries as an early warning detection and outbreak strategy of Covid-19. However the issue is South Africa is that around 30% of the citizens are not connected to a flush toilet connected to sewer, writes Sudhir Pillay, Gina Pocock and Jay Bhagwan.
The Lancet Commission on water, sanitation and hygiene, and health
In 2010, access to water and sanitation was recognised as a human right and, in 2015, an ambitious Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of achieving universal access to safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services by 2030 was agreed.
In the Covid storm our poop doesn’t tell lies
Wastewater Based Epidemiology Surveillance programme surveillance and needs to be escalated in the fight against this pandemic We are in the eye of the storm. Yes, right in the middle of the third wave of this Covid-19 pandemic. This wave is unprecedented and the scale was unpredictable. There was an expectation that we would have a milder third wave.
OPINION | Our water demands by 2030 will outstrip availability... if we don't change our behaviour
We are living in an environment of growing challenges to water scarcity, with demand outstripping supply in many areas, high user expectations and assurances, alleviated by climate variability which requires interventions, writes Jay Bhagwan. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in many fault lines emerging in our societies. One of the key ones is that of behaviour change, where we have seen the emergence of two waves of increase in infections and mortality on the back of poor behaviour.
Like Covid-19, water use requires permanent behaviour change
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in many fault lines emerging in our societies. One of the key ones is that of behaviour change, where we have seen the emergence of two waves of increase in infections and mortality on the back of poor behaviour. The correction factor is stringent lockdowns, which once relaxed result in the cycle continuing. Jay Bhagwan is an executive manager at the Water Research Commission. This is not the solution towards eliminating this virus.
South Africa: Tracking Covid-19 in the Sewer System of South Africa's Informal Settlements Could Expand Our Knowledge Base
The monitoring of water samples from formal sewerage systems for Covid-19 has rapidly become standard practice globally. Now a South African project is expanding that to monitor sewage discharge in non-sewered areas - informal settlements. The year 2020 has been dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The disease is caused by a new coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
OP-ED: Tracking Covid-19 in the sewer system of South Africa’s informal settlements could expand our knowledge base
Newly built homes in Ethembeni informal settlement covered in sewage water after a sewage pipe burst. (Photo: Gallo Images/Brenton Geach) The monitoring of water samples from formal sewerage systems for Covid-19 has rapidly become standard practice globally. Now a South African project is expanding that to monitor sewage discharge in non-sewered areas – informal settlements. The year 2020 has been dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
South Africa: Wastewater Surveillance Is an Early-Warning System for Covid-19 Outbreaks
Research sampling carried out by the Water Research Commission has found very high levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in human faeces in water downstream of wastewater treatment plants. This is a critical tool in predicting outbreaks and monitoring infection levels. In July, we wrote and recommended in Daily Maverick on South Africa needing a Covid-19 wastewater and water-quality surveillance programme.
Op-Ed: Wastewater surveillance is an early-warning system for Covid-19 outbreaks
(Photo: Adobestock) Research sampling carried out by the Water Research Commission has found very high levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in human faeces in water downstream of wastewater treatment plants. This is a critical tool in predicting outbreaks and monitoring infection levels. In July, we wrote and recommended in Daily Maverick on South Africa needing a Covid-19 wastewater and water-quality surveillance programme.
South Africa: SA Needs a Surveillance Programme As COVID-19 RNA Signals Show Up in Wastewater Samples
A pilot project has found Covid-19 RNA signals in wastewater plants in Gauteng hotspots. Now it needs to be scaled up nationally as it could be a vital and cost-effective early warning system, and could help track the waves of the transmission as the pandemic unfolds.
OP-ED: SA needs a surveillance programme as Covid-19 RNA signals show up in wastewater samples
South Africa is in a unique position to pioneer the development and piloting of an all-encompassing water and sanitation-focused approach for the surveillance of Covid-19 spread in less developed communities, say the writers. (Photo: Unsplash / CDC) A pilot project has found Covid-19 RNA signals in wastewater plants in Gauteng hotspots.
SA may need Covid-19 wastewater, water quality surveillance programme
With the escalation in Covid-19 infections in the country and the challenges associated with individual testing, the importance of introducing a nationwide wastewater surveillance programme becomes more immediate and relevant to complement national interventions. This could offer a cost-effective method of understanding the pandemic trends, provide an early warning system, identify hotspots and track the waves of the transmission as the pandemic unfolds.
A ‘brown revolution’ can secure our water future
By Jay Bhagwan There are many new solutions such as harvesting, reuse, reducing leaks etc to alleviate this challenge. However, more radical and disruptive interventions are required – these being behaviour change in water usage and new non-sewered sanitation (or off grid sanitation). These kinds of interventions are required to “future proof our water security”.
South Africa: A 'Brown Revolution' Can Secure Our Water Future
More radical and disruptive interventions are required. Behaviour change in water usage and new non-sewered sanitation (or off grid sanitation) are required to 'future proof our water security'. As South Africa and the government, we live through a water crisis daily and one which we have managed to date. Changing climate and new extreme weather events, together with growing population and poor water use behaviour, puts greater pressure on our water management and security.
Op-Ed: A ‘brown revolution’ can secure our water future
Water runs from a tap in Ramotjhana squatter camp on January 13, 2016 in Rustenburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Thulani Mbele). More radical and disruptive interventions are required. Behaviour change in water usage and new non-sewered sanitation (or off grid sanitation) are required to ‘future proof our water security’. As South Africa and the government, we live through a water crisis daily and one which we have managed to date.
Op-Ed: A âbrown revolutionâ can secure our water future
Water runs from a tap in Ramotjhana squatter camp on January 13, 2016 in Rustenburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Thulani Mbele). More radical and disruptive interventions are required. Behaviour change in water usage and new non-sewered sanitation (or off grid sanitation) are required to âfuture proof our water securityâ. As South Africa and the government, we live through a water crisis daily and one which we have managed to date.
South Africa: Load Shedding Has Serious Implications for Water Supply to Major Urban Areas
The consequences of electricity outages for potable water supply can be severe, in extreme cases disrupting supply completely. This is especially true for much of the Gauteng water-supply area, which straddles the continental divide. Load-shedding-related, or major electricity disruptions for any reason, can have severe consequences for the continuous treatment and supply of water services.
OP-ED: Load shedding has serious implications for water supply to major urban areas
The consequences of electricity outages for potable water supply can be severe, in extreme cases disrupting supply completely, says the writer. (Photo: EPA / Kim Ludbrook) The consequences of electricity outages for potable water supply can be severe, in extreme cases disrupting supply completely. This is especially true for much of the Gauteng water-supply area, which straddles the continental divide.
South Africa: Mr President, Innovative Sanitation Is Also a Big Game Changer
opinion By Jay Bhagwan Very few countries will masterfully craft a strategy and process which will turn a challenge into an industrial opportunity, which grows the economy, creates jobs and provides universal access to equitable sanitation to all - while solving a water security issue. "Is this the future of small-town South Africa?
Mr President, innovative sanitation is also a big game...
Sharon Ndlovu does her laundry next to sewage on June 9, 2015 in Diepsloot, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Antonio Muchave) Very few countries will masterfully craft a strategy and process which will turn a challenge into an industrial opportunity, which grows the economy, creates jobs and provides universal access to equitable sanitation to all – while solving a water security issue. “Is this the future of small-town South Africa?
South Africa: The Sanitation Revolution Is Here - International Mega-Event On Our Doorstep
analysis By Jay Bhagwan There is growing recognition that climate change will put greater constraints on sanitation than drinking water and disrupting this sanitation environment with smart sanitation solutions and service models are the kind of transformation which is required.
International mega-e...
File photograph dated 31 March 2004 of six-year-old Nosepelo Dlamini drinking from a communal water tap, one of three serving a community of some 2000 people, in the informal settlement of Kliptown in Soweto, South Africa. EPA/JON HRUSA There is growing recognition that climate change will put greater constraints on sanitation than drinking water and disrupting this sanitation environment with smart sanitation solutions and service models are the kind of transformation which is required.
Toilets still the pits at schools despite deaths
DANGER ZONE: Pupils continue to use pit toilets despite incidents in which children have tragically died after falling into pit latrines at schools.Picture: Dumisani Dube/African News Agency (ANA) The death of five-year-old Lumka Mthethwa, who fell into a pit latrine at her school in the Eastern Cape, shook us all. And it was particularly hurtful, and disappointing, given that we had seen such a tragic incident before when Michael Komape, another five-year-old, suffered the same fate in 2014.
Planning tool to guide growth in hydro development in water conduit systems
Although water conduit systems around the world could generate significant amounts of hydropower, developers have yet to largely tap that potential. Using examples in South Africa, a planning tool was created to help guide growth in this exploitable sector. Rapid industrial growth in South Africa has created an energy crisis that came to a peak in 2008, when rolling power cuts started to be implemented around the country.
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