The current extent of coverage and the costs of water supply and sanitation provision in the urban areas of South Africa

This paper presents a first estimate of coverage and costs of water supply and sanitation provision in urban areas of South Africa for 1990. The levels of service were grouped as follows: water supply - minimal, water kiosk, stand-pipe at 250 m, yard tap and house connection; sanitation - minimal, bucket, ventilated improved pit latrine, aqua privy with soakaway, and water-borne sanitation to sewer. Out of the current urban population of 22 million, 4 million (20 per cent) have minimal water supply provision, 7 million (30 per cent) have minimal sanitation, and 13 to 14 million (60 per cent) have a good provision of both water supply and sanitation. Cost figures given per service level include capital and operating costs both per site and per capita. Capital costs are divided, where appropriate, into costs for internal services and for bulk services.