Joburg to unveil first green public toilets

08 February 2017

 

The City of Johannesburg has once again taken the lead in the innovative green solutions space.

 

Its property management entity – the Joburg Property Company (JPC) – will this month unveil a green public toilet near the busy Ivory Park taxi rank in Region A.

It is the first-ever public green convenience facility the JPC has built in the area with an upmarket feel, modern floor finishes and scratch-resistant walls. It consists of male and female toilets, has a baby change room and also caters for people with disabilities.

The environmentally friendly facility was built using breeze blocks with openings that allow for the free flow of air and permanent ventilation. It also has a flat concrete roof that allows for better insulation. It has durable modern materials to help reduce water and electricity consumption. It also boasts two 5 000-litre water storage tanks for rainwater collection. The rainwater will be used for cleaning and filling the toilets.

JPC Chief Executive Officer Helen Botes has urged residents to look after the facility.

“The City of Johannesburg’s objective is to build a greener city to minimise impact on the environment. This is one of the priorities stipulated in the City’s Growth and Development Strategy 2040 (GDS 2040). As a municipal-owned entity, the JPC is proud to introduce this facility to the community,” she says.

Botes says in the wake of the water crisis facing Johannesburg, it is critical for the JPC to develop buildings and facilities “that will not deplete our natural resources further”.

The facility is expected to cater for about 300 people an hour. Previously, there were no public ablution facilities in the area. Taxi commuters passing through Ivory Park relied on toilets inside Kopanong Shopping Centre and a nearby motel.