NATIONAL NEWS - World Toilet Day is a United Nations recognised event, observed annually on 19 November.
World Toilet Day was created to raise global awareness of the daily struggle for proper sanitation that a staggering 2,5 billion people around the globe face. World Toilet Day aims to stimulate dialogue about sanitation and to break the taboo that still surrounds this issue.
In South Africa, this day is used by sector partners, i.e. government, private sector, civil society, academics, experts, health workers, learners and environmentalists, to improve access to sanitation services and sustain the sanitation services by:
• Sharing the latest information on sanitation technology options
• Improving the quality of sanitation service delivery from construction through to operations and maintenance by educating beneficiaries about their responsibilities. Toilets should be well maintained to be usable and sustainable.
• Improving access to sanitation services by highlighting the plight of the people without toilets and directing resources accordingly.
You can make looking after your toilet a daily habit by following these easy steps:
• Avoid pipe blockages by not throwing newspapers, sanitary materials or other solids into the toilet; throw them into a separate basket or a box with a lid.
• You are responsible for clearing pipe blockages on your own property.
• Do not plant trees or build where the sewage pipeline is situated.
• Keep the manhole or rodding eye clear so that it can be easy to open to clear any blockages.
• Do not throw solid waste and household waste into the manhole.
• Flush the toilet when it is dirty. Do not flush after every urination and save valuable water.
• Use toilet paper for cleaning; if other cleaning materials are used, throw them into a separate basket or box with a lid. Burn the contents when it is full.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet.
• Teach children and the elderly how to use the toilet properly.
• Keep the toilet clean. Clean it with a brush, water and soap.
• Take care of your toilet by fixing any damage of the structure. Repair any water leaks (you can waste more than 100 liters of water a day from a leaking toilet)).
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