Background
Many sanitation projects have failed in the past because they focus primarily on the installation of hardware (e.g. toilets, treatment facilities, etc.) only. Key factors for achieving sustainability include both appropriate sanitation hardware but also suitable operation and maintenance, for all steps in the sanitation chain, i.e. including the collection, transport, treatment and reuse and/or final disposal of the different sanitation products.
Operation and maintenance of sanitation systems has to be considered already in the planning stage including responsibilities, organisational set-up and financial provisions. Owners of the system need to be aware of the necessity and scope of operation and maintenance work. Extra in-depths training sessions might be needed e.g. for composting staff. Experience has shown that sanitation systems are only operated well if the owner has a benefit from the system (e.g. faecal compost, irrigation water, etc.). Treating wastewater only is not beneficial enough for owners to guarantee sustainable long-term operation of the system. Visits to implementation projects after the project ends, more likely result in successful projects and working systems. However, donors are very reluctant to fund such activities.
Activities
- The main task of this working group is to discuss and disseminate relevant information related to best practice examples of operation and maintenance systems for sustainable long-term operation of sanitation systems.
- Basic information on operation and maintenance and best practice examples have been compiled in a factsheet.
Sterenn Philippe, Andrés Hueso, Gloria Kafuria, Jules Sow, Hermann B. Kambou, Wandoo Akosu and Lloyd Beensi (2022)
Challenges Facing Sanitation Workers in Africa: A Four-Country Study
Sanitation workers encounter significant challenges that jeopardize their dignity and health, crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite their vital role, many governments in low- and middle-income countries neglect support for this workforce due to insufficient understanding of their needs and obstacles. The paper explores challenges faced by sanitation workers […]
Campbell, A. V. (2020)
Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) Rapid Assessment: Leh, India
LEDeG and BORDA have been working in partnership since 1987. Initially cooperation was focused on renewable energy projects which provided electricity to 67 villages through micro-hydro technology. The cooperation was later expanded to include a range of income generation activities such as food processing, handicrafts and food production. In recent […]
Campbell, A. V. (2020)
Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) Rapid Assessment: Godawari, Nepal
ENPHO and BORDA have been working in partnership since 2004 to improve living conditions and to protect natural resources and climatic conditions in inadequately served urban and peri-urban settlements in South Asia. Concentrated in the field of urban sanitation, key achievements include technical support and scaling up of Decentralized Wastewater […]
Gerlach, E. (2020)
Sanitation for Millions - Curtain call for Caretakers: the Hausmeister concept
Universal access to adequate sanitation is one of the under-appreciated achievements of many societies – and unfortunately remains a distant dream for millions. Even in countries where there is no home without a toilet, public institutions tend to have facilities that are part of the unseen fabric of civilisation. Familiar […]
Sperandeo, L., Srinivasan, S. (2020)
The Heroes behind Sanitation
An insight into faecal sludge management workers in Zambia
The sanitation workforce provides an essential public service to all. They clean and empty pit latrines, septic tanks, sewers and other sanitation systems, transport faecal sludge, remove contaminants from the sludge and process the sludge for disposal or reuse. Constantly exposed to faecal microorganisms, hazardous waste and harsh chemicals, sanitation […]
Strande, L., Ronteltap, M., Brdjanovic, D. (Eds.) (2014)
Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) book
Systems Approach for Implementation and Operation (in English, French and Spanish)
Over a billion people in urban and peri-urban areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America are served by onsite sanitation technologies. Until now, the management of faecal sludge resulting from these onsite technologies has been grossly neglected. Financial resources are often lacking, and onsite sanitation systems tend to be regarded […]
WHO, IWA (2018)
Strengthening Operations & Maintenance through Water Safety Planning
A Collection of Case Studies
Strong operations and maintenance (O&M) programmes underpin the effectiveness and sustainability of drinking-water supply systems. Increased attention to and investment in O&M is needed to ensure that water safety and service delivery targets are consistently met and that public health is protected. Water safety plans (WSPs) are a valuable tool to […]
UMC (2015)
Standard Operating Procedures for Fecal Sludge Management for Municipalities in Gujarat
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a step-by-step guide for ULBs to institute a framework for on-site sanitation system management. This SOP conforms to the advisory note on septage management released by MoUD and draws from UMC’s experience of working with ULBs in Gujarat. It provides a set of written […]
