Non-sewered sanitation systems CASE STUDY

The document defines non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS) as reticulation-free systems where human excreta are stored on-site for treatment or disposal. It highlights the economic return of water and sanitation investments, noting a USD 2.5 - 5 return in reduced healthcare costs for every dollar spent. In South Africa, NSSS are presented as solutions to water scarcity, aging infrastructure, and rapid urbanization, with a potential R4.7bn investment opportunity in metropolitan projects and a R3.4bn government allocation for school sanitation over two years. Globally, the document projects that water infrastructure costs will rise from USD 6.7 trillion by 2030 to USD 22.6 trillion by 2050, with Sub-Saharan Africa leading in annual costs to achieve basic and safe sanitation.

• Non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS) are defined as systems that do not require reticulation or a sewerage system, instead collecting and storing human excreta on-site for disposal or treatment.
• Investments in water and sanitation provide a significant return in the form of lower healthcare costs for society and individuals, ranging from USD 2.5 to 5 for every dollar invested.
• South Africa faces specific sanitation challenges that NSSS can address, including the fact that 63% of the population lives in urban areas (projected to reach 71% by 2030) and the country's status as the 30th driest in the world.
• There are significant financial opportunities and commitments in South Africa regarding NSSS, including R4.7bn in potential metropolitan projects and a R3.4bn National Government allocation via the Department of Basic Education for school sanitation over the next two years.
• Global financing for water infrastructure is projected to increase from USD 6.7 trillion by 2030 to USD 22.6 trillion by 2050, with Sub-Saharan Africa incurring the highest annual costs to maintain basic and safe sanitation.

APA

GreenCape (n.d.). Non-sewered sanitation systems CASE STUDY. https://greencape.co.za/assets/FNF-Case-Study-3-NSSS.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. Non-sewered sanitation systems CASE STUDY. n.d. https://greencape.co.za/assets/FNF-Case-Study-3-NSSS.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=Non-sewered sanitation systems CASE STUDY |url=https://greencape.co.za/assets/FNF-Case-Study-3-NSSS.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencapendnonsewered, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{Non-sewered sanitation systems CASE STUDY}}, institution = {GreenCape}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/assets/FNF-Case-Study-3-NSSS.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }