Exploring the use and disposal of water around Constructed Wetlands in Setswetla

Abstract

Background: Setswetla is a low-income, unplanned settlement located in Alexandra, Johannesburg. The community is characterised by an absence of sanitary services for effective disposal and recycling of greywater. As such, embedded water pathways in the street have provided channels for the eventual disposal of this greywater into the Jukskei River. Consequently, this results in surroundings plagued by high concentrations of E. coli and other harmful substances, which present a number of health risks to the community members. Aim: Taking initiative from recommendations posited by a 2020 consultancy report, two redesigned constructed wetlands (CWs) were erected within the community to combat the problem of greywater disposal, treatment, and removal. Constructed wetlands have emerged as nature based, low-cost technologies for greywater treatment because they imitate the natural filtration process of naturally occurring wetlands. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the redesigned constructed wetlands supported the community members’ wastewater disposal behaviour as well as if they were being used appropriately. Method: Through direct observation, the activities of the community members in relation to their use and disposal of water around the re-designed constructed wetlands were studied. The work sampling technique approach and time-and-motion approach were utilised to determine the frequency in occurrences of the activities under study as well as the time spent going through the different activities. Behavioural themes gleaned from these observations were then quantified through a content analysis. Furthermore, short-structured interviews were conducted to enquire into the possible reasons for the observed behavioural trends of the community members. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse this data. Results: The results suggested that the constructed wetlands were being utilised appropriately by the majority of the community members and they supported their water disposal behaviours. Additionally, it was found that they assisted to combat the problem of greywater disposal.