AWARD FOR TOILET DESIGN

CMA m emb er R o cla w as recently awarded a cer- tificate of recognition for its lightweight concrete toilet top structure by technical assessment agency Agrément SA at a function held in Pretoria.

Rocla’s precast concrete sanitation unit is a costeffective solution to one of the most basic and essential needs in SA for clean, hygienic and cost-ef ficient sanitation in schools and homes in rural areas.

The innovatively designed sanitation units were certified as “fit for purpose” by Agrément SA after catching the eye of Deputy Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure Noxolo Kiviet, as well as other delegates.

Safer schools “We described the unique features of our sanitation units to the Deputy Minister and explained how the product could solve the problem of non-existent hygienic ablution facilities at many schools and – in particular – resolve the issue of pit latrine deaths of young children in schools and their homes,” says Malebusa Sebatane, marketing and communications manager for the Infrastructure Specialist Group (ISG).

She adds that the unit was designed to provide a viable, dignified, safe and sustainable toilet unit to even the remotest corners of SA. All Rocla’s sanitation units are designed to save water by functioning on the existing grey water output from a household, rather than requiring fresh drinking water. For municipalities and home-owners with pit latrines, the Rocla solutions on offer include an upgrade to the Water Research Commission-endorsed twin-leach pit technology at a reduced cost for a new installation.

Agrément, which was launched in July 2018, is a fully-fledged legal entity of the Department of Public Works (DPW). Its certificates are comprehensive advisory documents that will assist building authorities and other relevant players to assess the in-situ suitability of any innovation.

Local upliftment “The Deputy Minister was particularly interested in the unique ‘community cast’ methodology with which all the new Rocla toilet structures and sub-structures are manufactured.

“This system was developed by Rocla specifically to benefit rural and township economies, with a strong emphasis on local job creation and skills transfer. This, of course, aligns 100% with the DPW’s Expanded Public Works Programmes,” says Sebatane.