10 September 2021 Hits: 308

13 Lucky Clinics in KZN - Now with Reliable Sewage Treatment Systems

It never ceases to amaze me, when SA government bungles it's way into doing the right thing. Lucky, perhaps?

Water and sanitation in rural areas is often poorly designed and maintained

Rural Healthcare facilities

The Challenge of Sanitation in Rural South African Clinics

In many rural areas of South Africa, including northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), healthcare facilities like clinics often rely on outdated septic tanks and soak-away systems to solve wastewater management problems. These traditional methods can fail due to poor soil conditions, high water tables, overloading from patient and staff usage, or lack of maintenance — leading to groundwater contamination, unpleasant odours, health risks, and environmental pollution.Proper sanitation is critical in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of infections and ensure compliance with South African water regulations (such as the National Water Act). Failed systems not only disrupt clinic operations but also pose serious risks to patients, staff, and surrounding communities.

The Right Solution

Scarab Water's innovative decentralised sewage treatment package plants provided an ideal,

modern alternative for these 13 clinics. Unlike traditional septic tanks, Scarab systems use advanced biological treatment processes to effectively treat wastewater on-site, producing high-quality effluent that's safe for irrigation or discharge.

We were given the go ahead to install thirteen Scarab sewage treatment systems into northern KZN clinics, since their septic tanks / soak-aways had failed. Whilst we were grateful for this order, the clinics gratefully received Scarab systems.

Scarab Decentralised Package Plants

Scarab Water's innovative de-centralised sewage treatment package plants provided an ideal, modern alternative for these 13 clinics. Unlike traditional septic tanks, Scarab systems use advanced biological treatment processes to effectively treat wastewater on-site, producing high-quality effluent that's safe for irrigation or discharge. Key benefits of Scarab package plants for clinics and healthcare facilities:

Reliable Performance: Robust design handles variable flows common in clinics (e.g., peak usage during busy days).
Low Maintenance: Simple operation with minimal sludge removal needed, perfect for remote rural locations.
Environmental Compliance: Meets strict South African standards for wastewater treatment, reducing pollution risks.
Scalable Capacities: From 1.7m³/day for smaller clinics to 25m³/day for larger facilities.
Cost-Effective Long-Term: Lower operational costs compared to frequent septic tank pumping or repairs.

This project demonstrates how de-centralised wastewater treatment systems can transform sanitation in public healthcare infrastructure across South Africa.

Woman at rural South African healthcare facility highlighting need for improved water and sanitation)

Sanitation at Rural Clinics

Project Success and Broader Impact

The installation of these systems in northern KZN clinics was a win for sustainable sanitation in South African healthcare. By replacing failing septic tanks, the project not only improved daily operations but also protected local water resources and public health.Scarab Water specialises in similar solutions for clinics, hospitals, schools, lodges, and rural developments throughout South Africa. If your facility is facing wastewater challenges, contact us for a tailored package plant assessment.

Our sewage treatment systems range from 1700 litres per day, to 25 000 litres per day.