Access to clean water and proper sanitation is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people worldwide still lack access to these essentials. This collaborative project between ZHAW, the University of Stellenbosch, and the Public Benefit Organisation VPUU aims to tackle this challenge by developing and testing low-tech water treatment and sanitation solutions for off-grid communities.
 
As part of the project, two separate systems for treating greywater and blackwater will be implemented and tested under real-life conditions. Based on a low-tech approach that leverages natural processes in biofilters, the technology was developed at ZHAW. The system will be installed at the "Monwabisi Park" community center, located in the informal settlement of Khayelitsha on the outskirts of Cape Town. This center serves over 3500 households and employs more than 100 staff members.
 
The treated water will be reused on-site as much as possible for applications such as toilet flushing and washing. By closing the water cycle, the center could potentially operate entirely water self-sufficiently, serving as a model for future initiatives. A participatory and community-driven approach actively involves local stakeholders to ensure that the solutions are tailored to the community’s needs, while also building capacities and facilitating knowledge transfer.