Capetonians willing to pay more for seawater toilet flushing

Capetonians are prepared to pay up to 10% extra on their water bills to flush their toilets with salt water as long as it does not smell or stain.

- XOLILE MTEMBU

This is according to research conducted by the University of Cape Town (UCT). The research is titled "Feasibility of using seawater to flush toilets in the African context" and aims to investigate the use of seawater in Cape Town toilets.

In the study commissioned by South Africa's Water Research Commission, Teboho Mofokeng, a lecturer in water engineering at UCT and co-author of the report, investigated the country's water management and reuse.

The researchers surveyed 239 individuals to determine whether they would prefer using saltwater or recycled water for flushing toilets instead of continuing to use drinking water, even if it meant paying more. They also explored participants' opinions on the disposal of toilet effluent into the sea.