Exploring Barriers and Strategies for Large-Scale Uptake of Climate-Resilient Sanitation: A Case Study of Enkanini, Stellenbosch Municipality
Access to safe, climate-resilient sanitation remains a critical challenge in rapidly urbanising regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within informal settlements. Despite progressive policy frameworks, and advancement of sanitation technologies, many residents still lack access to safe and dignified sanitation services due to institutional, infrastructural, economic, and social constraints amongst other factors. Although non-sewered, decentralised, off-grid, climate resilient sanitation systems, collectively referred to as water-efficient sanitation solutions (WESS), offer sustainable and scalable alternatives, their uptake at the local level remains limited. This study investigates the barriers hindering the large-scale adoption of WESS in Enkanini informal settlement, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Identifying and unlocking barriers to WESS adoption in Enkanini was envisaged to contribute to the large sale adoption of WESS thereby advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 (SDG 6.2) on universal access to sanitation by 2030. A mixed-methods case study approach was employed, integrating quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews involving municipal officials, sanitation experts, and community members. Data was analysed using SPSS and ATLAS.ti to identify patterns in governance, technical feasibility and capacity, spatial layout and social behaviours that hinder WESS adoption. Findings indicate that 70% residents depend on shared centralised Kayaloo units, bucket (containerised) systems, and open defecation, while alternative decentralised, low-flush, or waterless options such as portable flush toilets, pour-flush units, chemical toilets, and urine diversion toilets, remain underutilised. Key barriers identified include fragmented institutional coordination, limited technical expertise, inadequate funding, vandalism and theft, poor operation and maintenance, and low trust (user preference/perception) in innovative sanitation systems. The study presents a “theory of change” that concludes that addressing these challenges requires an integrated, inclusive, and participatory approach that promotes co-design, piloting, community ownership, and transparent collaboration among stakeholders. Strengthening municipal capacity, improving accountability, and investing in locally appropriate, WESS technologies are essential for achieving sustainable sanitation outcomes. By exposing systemic barriers and highlighting actionable pathways, this study contributes to the broader discourse on equitable urban sanitation and offers strategic guidance for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working towards resilient sanitation solutions in South Africa’s informal settlements.
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