Sanitation Services Research Articles

Tracking enteric pathogen contamination from on-site sanitation facilities to groundwater in selected rural areas of Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Groundwater is valued as a source of potable water, although it is vulnerable to environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to track enteric pathogen contamination from on-site sanitation (OSS) facilities to 70 household boreholes used by four villages of the Vhembe District Municipality. Two objectives were pursued: to measure the lateral distance between the borehole and the sanitation facilities in household yards, and to track the enteric pathogens. The borehole abstraction point and OSS system distance were determined using a steel measuring tape. Real-time PCR was used to track Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni, and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) from Wastewater (WW) from domestic septic tank and sludge from pit latrines to boreholes. Escherichia coli was used as an indicator of faecal contamination. Results showed that 25% of households kept a distance of ≥50 m between the OSS facilities and the boreholes. In total, 87.5% of household boreholes in the rainy season and 72.5% in the dry season were contaminated with E. coli and pathogenic bacteria: Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhimurium, and ETEC. The concentrations of the pathogens ranged from 2.03 to 2.12 LogEGC/100 mL. A very weak (r = −0.093) to moderate (r = −0.541) association was found between pathogens in groundwater and on-site sanitation systems (WW from septic tank and sludge from pit latrine). This suggests that the pathogens were not present in the sanitation compartment when they were found in the groundwater and vice versa. Moreover, a very weak (r = 0.007) to moderate (r = 0.525) association was found between the detected contaminants in groundwater and the lateral distance between the OSS facilities and the boreholes. The pathogens detected in all samples showed consistent concentrations, suggesting potential contamination from OSS systems' waste, possibly in groundwater, indicating potential contamination. The siting of OSS facilities at the yards in this study appeared to have a slight influence on the contaminants detected in groundwater. This study calls for an education program to be implemented by the Water and Sanitation Services Authorities to prevent contamination of groundwater and the risk of waterborne diseases.

Proceso de apropiación de tecnologías digitales por comités de agua potable rural en la región de La Araucanía, Chile

While the coverage of potable water in rural areas has significantly increased in Chile, challenges persist in ensuring its quality, quantity, and continuity. This has required cooperatives and committees providing this service to engage in projects aimed at improving aspects associated with their management, such as transferring technologies that enable data-driven decision-making. The general objective of this study was to understand the obstacles and facilitators involved in the process of transferring a telemetry system by rural sanitary services, using a conceptual approach composed of three perspectives: sociotechnical systems, technological appropriation, and territorial governance. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews with leaders of rural drinking water committees in the La Araucanía region who have been involved in digital technology projects. The adopted theoretical perspectives, as well as the methodology used in this article, indicate that the appropriation of digital technologies by rural drinking water committees should be understood as a complex, territorial, systemic, multi-agent, and multilevel process.

Biplot and Procrustes Analysis of Poverty Indicators By Province in Indonesia in 2015 dan 2019

Poverty is one of the country's problems that the government should overcome. Poverty is influenced by several indicators. The success of a government can be seen from changes in poverty. This study compares the percentage of Indonesia's poverty indicators at the beginning of office (2015) and the end of office (2019) of one government period. The indicators that most affect the poverty rate in 2015 and 2019 are seen using biplot analysis while to measure the similarity and the magnitude of the percentage change in poverty from 2015 to 2019 can use procrustes analysis. The results of the biplot analysis show that households have access to proper sanitation services as the indicator with the highest diversity in 2015 while in 2019 it is the poor young population (15-24 years old) who are not in school and working or attending training and households have access to decent drinking water sources. Riau Islands, DKI Jakarta, DI Yogyakarta, and Bali are the provinces that have the highest values in almost all poverty indicators except the indicator of the percentage of young people (15-24 years old) who are not in school, working or attending training. The results of the procrustean analysis show an increase of 9.7% in Indonesia's poverty indicators in 2019 compared to 2015. So it can be said that the two configurations are very similar.

Sustainability of Simplified Sewer systems

The universal access to safely managed sanitation remains one of the challenges to achieving the UN SDG target 6.2 in unplanned urban settlements including the Vingunguti area in Dar es Salaam City which is high-density populated. In an attempt to address this challenge, a simplified sewer system was piloted as an option for achieving safely managed sanitation in this particular area. The objective of this study was to assess the sustainability of the piloted simplified sewer system for its potentiality to up-scale and replication in areas with similar sanitation challenges in the country. Methodology involved collection of data on performance of different components of the sanitation service chain in the study area; and determination of sustainability index using a set of indicators. Data collection techniques included literature reviews, household questionnaires, expert surveys, and physical observations. Data analysis utilized the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to assign weights to sustainability indicators, while the urban sanitation status index (USSI) was used to evaluate the status of the sanitation service chain, and the sanitation sustainability index (SSI) determined the level of sustainability of the sewerage system. Results showed that the emptying and transport component of the sanitation service chain performed better, with a USSI value of 0.905. However, the system performed poorly on the complementary services (stormwater, greywater, and solid waste management), which had a USSI value of 0.552, probably due to fewer investments in these services. On the other hand, the sustainability of the simplified sewer system was found to be high, with an SSI score of 76.5%. Hence, the study concludes that, simplified sewer system is an appropriate option for addressing safely managed sanitation in unplanned urban settlements where connection to conventional sewer systems is challenging. Thus, the system in Vingunguti area can be up-scaled and replicated elsewhere with similar conditions in the country.

Development and assessment of a vulnerability index for access to rural drinking water and sanitation services in the semi-arid region of north–central Chile

Abstract The present study aimed to develop and assess a vulnerability index for access to rural drinking water and sanitation services, which was applied to 42 Rural Sanitation Services in the Coquimbo Region, Chile. For the development and assessment of the vulnerability index, the construction of composite indicator methodology was employed. An underlying model based on 65 indicators, linked to nine sub-pillars and three pillars, was established. In addition, the COINTool software was used for the development and analysis of the composite indicator results. The vulnerability index results showed medium vulnerability at regional and provincial levels, with a greater degree of vulnerability at a commune level. At a Rural Sanitation Services level, 2.4% of the evaluated services presented high vulnerability, 73.8% presented medium vulnerability, and 23.8% presented low vulnerability. The vulnerability index values obtained for the Rural Sanitation Services fluctuated from a minimum value of 32.3% to a maximum value of 64.1%. The significance of the vulnerability indicator developed and assessed lies in its high potential as a tool and/or methodology to monitoring, from a multidimensional perspective, the effectiveness of policies, strategies, and/or actions implemented at the level of Rural Sanitation Services, contributing to strengthened decision-making in vulnerability reduction.

Sanitation is political: understanding stakeholders’ incentives in funding sanitation for the Gaza Strip, Palestine

The Gaza Strip is dependent on external aid to deliver basic services, including water and sanitation. Such services are not sustainable due to the Israeli occupation and the limited financial and technical capacities of service providers and the state. This paper examines the incentives of stakeholders in delivering sanitation services in the Gaza Strip through a qualitative institutional economics analysis of literature supplemented with qualitative key informant interviews. External aid is crucial to deliver basic services in the Gaza Strip. However, this has created a dependency that undermines the sustainability of sanitation services. Donor agencies often prioritise capital expenditure on visible infrastructure, such as wastewater treatment, without addressing its long and short-term operational needs; hence the Gaza Strip’s needs are continually addressed as an emergency response. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas de facto governments lack sovereignty over the Gaza Strip and Palestine. Therefore, they also lack the capacity and incentives to create an enabling environment for delivering safely managed sanitation. This paper contributes to development policy literature, the politics of infrastructure and wider politics of settler colonialism and siege basic services such as water and sanitation.

Biosecurity Challenges: How Defense Strategies Against Tuberculosis In Asean Countries

This comprehensive research provides a thorough analysis of tuberculosis (TB) incidence trends and sanitation challenges within the ASEAN region spanning from 2005 to 2021. It underscores the critical need for robust defense strategies against TB, particularly in light of setbacks exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia, from June to July 2023, delved into biosecurity challenges of tuberculosis in ASEAN countries, using a quantitative approach and cross-sectional design. Data from 2005 to 2021, sourced from the ASEAN database, underwent descriptive statistics and trend analysis to explore TB incidence rates, ensuring a comprehensive investigation scope. The study places emphasis on the imperative of implementing comprehensive measures encompassing prevention, screening, swift diagnosis, utilization of advanced treatment regimens, and ensuring robust patient support systems. Moreover, it highlights the pivotal role of addressing sanitation challenges, as substandard conditions significantly heighten the risks of TB transmission. The study's scope encompasses an array of critical subjects, with a central focus on TB incidence rates, as well as the crucial aspects of access to improved sanitation facilities and sanitation services. The conclusion is the ASEAN region, especially the Philippines, faces a notable tuberculosis burden, coupled with uneven access to sanitation. Effective interventions and collaboration are vital for improving public health and sanitation standards in ASEAN countries.

Uncovering the linkage between sustainable development goals for access to electricity and access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services

Efforts to improve access to electricity and access to water and sanitation often go hand in hand, as they are essential components of sustainable development. By ensuring access to electricity, communities can have improved access to safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services, leading to better health outcomes, enhanced livelihoods, and overall development. This study investigates the effects of access to electricity on access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services in 19 African countries from 2000 to 2020. Driscoll-Kraay standard errors and IV-GMM estimation techniques are used to estimate the relationship. The results show that access to electricity is positively associated with the percentage of people using safely managed clean water and sanitation services. The results also show that access to safely managed clean water and sanitation facilities in urban and rural areas turns out to be increased as far as access to electricity increases. The findings indicate that access to electricity reduces urban-rural inequalities in access to clean water and sanitation facilities. The sub-regional analyses conducted reveal that these findings are robust across SSA countries. Lastly, the findings reveal that GDP per capita, globalization, FDI and urbanization are channels through which access to electricity contributes to increasing access to safely managed water and sanitation services. African governments should implement policies that highlight the transformative potential of reliable electricity supply in ensuring sustainable and equitable access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities to safeguard public health and well-being.

Excreta flow mapping along the sanitation service chain, a case of Kombolcha town, Ethiopia

Poor management of fecal sludge (FSM) presents significant risks to public health and the environment. This study employed qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, along with the Shit Flow Diagram (SFD) data analyzing tool to investigate FSM patterns in Kombolcha town, Ethiopia. The findings indicate that 75.7% of housing unites in the town are shared toilets, with multiple households sharing a single facility. The primary toilet technologies used include cistern flush toilets (2.1%), pour/manual flush toilets (19.8%), ventilated improved pit latrines (11.1%), pit latrines with slabs (56.4%), and pit latrines without slabs (10.6%). However, 98.5% of these toilet types had either unlined or only partially lined containments. Furthermore, only 37% of households practice safe pit or sludge tank emptying. As a result, only 17% of fecal sludge goes through the sanitation value chain and is effectively treated, while 39% remains onsite and unemptied, and the remaining 44% is disposed of in a manner that poses risks to the environment and public health. The study highlights the significant public health and environmental risks associated with the high reliance on shared toilets, the prevalence of inadequately lined toilet types, and the low adoption of proper fecal sludge management practices. Addressing these challenges requires the implementation of sanitation bylaws and building code regulations that prioritize hygienic standards and promote improved toilet technologies.

Institutional capacity assessment in the lens of implementation research: Capacity of the local institutions in delivering WASH services at Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh.

The influx of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) has left the Southwest coastal district of Cox's Bazar with one of the greatest contemporary humanitarian crises, stressing the existing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources and services. This study aimed to assess the existing capacity of local institutions involved in delivering WASH services and identify relevant recommendations for intervention strategies. We used a qualitative approach, including interviews and capacity assessment workshops with institutions engaged in WASH service delivery. We conducted five key informant interviews (KII) with sub-district level officials of the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) and Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) to have a general idea of WASH service mechanisms. Seven capacity assessment workshops were organized with the relevant district and sub-district level stakeholders from August 2019 to September 2019. These workshops followed three key areas: i) knowledge of policy, organizational strategy, guidelines, and framework; ii) institutional arrangements for service delivery such as planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and reporting; and iii) availability and management of human, financial and infrastructural resources. Data were categorized using thematic content analysis. The majority of stakeholders lacked awareness of national WASH policies. Furthermore, the top-down planning approaches resulted in activities that were not context-specific, and lack of coordination between multiple institutions compromised the optimal WASH service delivery at the local level. Shortage of human resources in delivering sustainable WASH services, inadequate supervision, and inadequate evaluation of activities also required further improvement, as identified by WASH stakeholders. Research evidence suggests that decision-makers, donors, and development partners should consider learning from the WASH implementers and stakeholders about their existing capacity, gaps, and opportunities before planning for any WASH intervention in any particular area.

An approach to the financial stakes of water security faced by water and sanitation services in France

Water supply and sanitation (WSS) utilities in many countries are increasingly faced with pressing water risks which include the risk of "water shortages (includ- ing droughts), water excess (including floods), inadequate water quality mainly due to pollution, as well as the risk of undermining the resilience of freshwater systems (rivers, lakes, aquifers)" (OECD, 2013). These risks are exacerbated by climate change which increases the magnitude and frequency of extreme events. These developments, as well as the financial constraints on the services (limited capacity to increase the price of water/sanitation in an inflationary context and strong constraints on post-covid public finances) are all elements that must be ad- dressed to ensure the sustainability and resilience of the services in an environment now marked by threatened water security. This paper firstly presents an inventory of drinking water and collective sanitation assets in France. It identifies renewal needs as well as investment gaps thus underlining the magnitude of the infrastruc- ture related challenges that the sector needs to address to ensure the sustainability and quality of water and sanitation services. In addition, this paper includes ele- ments for evaluating the broader cost of water security. Indeed, in a context where climate change exacerbates water risks and encourages improving the resilience of water and sanitation services, the financial issues related to the proper management of assets cannot be limited to the sole issue of grey infrastructure renewal. It is also necessary to assess the financial challenges of water security through the manage- ment of water-related risks such as droughts, floods, and the preservation of aquatic environments. Thus, an assessment of environmental costs and damages generated by water and sanitation services is also provided to complete the analysis.

Analysis of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities using the WASH-FIT approach and its relation to patient satisfaction and maternal mortality at hospitals in Indonesia.

The provision of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is critical to reducing infection and enhancing the quality of health care services. The study aims to assess WASH facilities in Indonesian hospitals using the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Facility Improvement Tool (WASH-FIT) approach and examine their association with customer satisfaction and maternal mortality owing to infection. We utilized the national scale Health Facilities Research dataset in Indonesian hospitals in 2019. WASH status is determined using WASH-FIT indicators, i.e., water, sanitation, waste management, hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and management services, and then divided into three levels: poor, adequate, and good categories. The majority of hospitals in Indonesia had a good category, i.e., the range of hospitals with a good category was 79-97% nationally, in 6 aspects: water, sanitation, hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and management services, except for waste management services (13%). Good WASH service facilities are more frequently found in government hospitals than in private and specialized hospitals, while lower-level hospitals tend to have poor levels of all WASH-FIT indicators. There are significant relationships between adequate sanitation services (β = 0.724), adequate and good categories of hand hygiene services (β = 0.712 and 0.866, respectively), environmental cleaning (β = -0.501 and -0.503, respectively), and management (β = -0.645 and 0.446, respectively), with the proportion of maternal mortality owing to infection. Furthermore, there was no relationship between WASH-FIT indicators and patient satisfaction, except for good hand hygiene services (β = 0.453). Despite good conditions in almost all WASH-FIT indicators, the improvement of waste management is urgently needed to improve the WASH services in hospitals in Indonesia, as also found in other developing countries.

Memandang Kebiasaan Membuang Sampah dan Peran Dinas Kebersihan dengan Perspektif Struktural Fungsional di Kecamatan Medan Marelan, Kota Medan

This research aims to determine the correlation between functional structural theory and people's habits in throwing away any rubbish resulting from the habit of throwing rubbish carelessly on the social environment in Medan Marelan District, Medan City. The research method used is the field observation method. Where research results are obtained through direct observation using observation guidelines, namely directly observing the object being studied. The results of the research show that the influence of waste on the social environment is: in terms of health, the presence of various diseases that attack from accumulated waste, the city government manages waste so that it is easy to sort it by providing facilities and advice on waste disposal and workers transporting waste. In the social aspect of society, the influence of society on communication has increased, in contrast to before the improvements. In terms of accessibility, the impact has been felt by the community, especially the surrounding community. The community is certainly greatly helped by the role of the cleaning service. For example, it won't take long for them to throw away their rubbish to get to the landfill because there are already rubbish workers from the Medan city sanitation service close to where they live. Finally, in terms of the environment, the impact of littering has shown a significant influence because after this habit, rivers, roads and drainage have accumulated rubbish.

Parasitosis in Pet Dogs from Rondônia, Amazon Biome, and Human Perception of Zoonoses.

Zoonotic parasitic diseases in dogs are particularly concerning in regions with low human development indices due to inadequate sanitary services and insufficient environmental and health education. This study aimed to assess the parasitological status of dogs living in households and evaluate their owners' knowledge about zoonoses. A total of 183 dogs from Rolim de Moura, Rondônia State, were screened for the presence of ectoparasites, and 163 fecal samples were collected for analysis. The results showed that 74.23% (112/163) of the animals had at least one species of endoparasite. The most identified pathogens were Ancylostoma spp. (68.71%, 112/163), Trichuris vulpis (11.66%, 19/163), Toxocara canis (6.75%, 11/163), Cystoisospora canis (4.91%, 8/163), Dipylidium caninum (1.23%, 2/163), and Hammondia/Neospora (0.61%, 1/163). Ectoparasites were observed in 43.17% (79/183) of the evaluated animals, with Rhipicephalus sanguineus found in 31.15% (57/183) and Ctenocephalides felis felis in 20.77% (38/183). Only 11.48% (7/61) of the owners were familiar with the term "Zoonoses." However, a significant majority (83.61%, 51/61) believed that dogs can transmit diseases to humans. Our findings highlight the prevalence of parasites in the studied area and associated risk factors, underscoring the urgent need for educational interventions to raise awareness about these diseases and their risks to human health.

The need of the hour: Providing water in shared toilet facilities for menstrual hygiene management in urban India

Abstract Shared sanitation services continue to expand in India's growing cities, yet, these facilities are blighted by issues including lack of privacy, overflow of raw sewage, and notably, a lack of water supply. Access to water in shared toilets for menstruating women and girls to wash themselves, their reusable menstrual products, their stained clothes, and sanitation infrastructure is a critical but all too-often neglected aspect of menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Drawing on the existing literature and data from Maharashtra, this commentary article uses the example of urban India to highlight the ‘need of the hour’, the provision of water in shared sanitation facilities in the global South for MHM as and when required. Evidence-based water supply norms in shared sanitation for MHM, from menarche to the perimenopause, are key, to highlight the need for water as an ‘MHM plus’ requirement for women and girls reliant on shared facilities. Connecting shared toilets to piped water is a long-term process, but the provision of water in buckets is a start. Hygiene promotion can create awareness of the importance of water for sustainable MHM. Monitoring and evaluation can determine the impact of supplying water in shared toilets on MHM.

Effects of urbanization and accessibility to sanitation services on water quality in urban streams in Uruguay.

The world's urban population is growing rapidly, and threatening natural ecosystems, especially streams. Urbanization leads to stream alterations, increased peak flow frequencies, and reduced water quality due to pollutants, morphological changes, and biodiversity loss, known as the urban stream syndrome. However, a shift towards recognizing urban streams as valuable natural systems is occurring, emphasizing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. This study in Uruguay examined water quality in various watersheds with different urbanization levels and socio-environmental characteristics along a precipitation gradient. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and in situ data, we assessed physicochemical parameters, generated territorial variables, and identified key predictors of water quality. We found that urbanization, particularly urban areas, paved areas, and populations without sanitation, significantly influenced water quality parameters. These factors explained over 50% of the variation in water quality indicators. However, the relationship between urbanization and water quality was non-linear, with abrupt declines after specific urban intensity thresholds. Our results illustrate that ensuring sanitation networks and managing green areas effectively are essential for preserving urban stream water quality. This research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary teams and localized data for informed freshwater resource management.

Sanitation configurations in Lilongwe: Everyday experiences on and off the grid

Scholars have called for increased attention to the practices through which residents of southern cities create and use infrastructure. The failures and disruptions of many particular artefacts have meant that people often develop multiple ways to access water, electricity, or transportation, even if all of them have limitations. For sanitation, thinking through heterogeneous infrastructure configurations can help us to see connections between toilets, and the reasons for maintaining access to different types of toilets, given their different risks and benefits. In this paper, we focus on plots in Lilongwe with both indoor flush-toilets and backyard latrines, and the lived experiences of people as they navigate choices about the use of these toilets. The presence of on and off-grid toilets is rooted in colonial urban form, yet is perpetuated – and proliferates in new places – as residents face a number of constraints, including most recently recurrent water shortages due to droughts. We consider both how this configuration challenges official imaginaries of urban sanitation, and how it helps residents to address different risks and sanitation needs. Drawing on the experience of Lilongwe, we reflect on what can be learnt from this heterogeneous infrastructural configuration in terms of planning for more resilient water and sanitation services in Global South cities and beyond.

ANALYSIS OF GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN TPASR PROBOLINGGO DEVELOPMENT

Waste management is a pressing issue in Probolinggo Regency and City, necessitating swift action to mitigate environmental impacts. The construction of the Probolinggo Regional Waste Landfill (TPA) aims to address this challenge through cross-regional sanitation services. Proper financing is crucial for successful infrastructure development, and this study compares government budget (APBN/APBD) and non-government (regional loans) financing schemes. Utilizing a quantitative approach with primary and secondary data, the analysis indicates the viability of both financing options. Government-sourced investment shows an NPV of Rp 431,148,007,790, IRR 40.55%, BCR 1.07, and a 3-year payback period. Meanwhile, non-government or regional loans exhibit an NPV of Rp 110,115,495,905, IRR 9.03%, BCR 1.3, and a 9-year payback period. The decision-making process, weighing financial and non-financial criteria, favors regional loans/loans as the preferred financing scheme for the Probolinggo TPASR project. This research emphasizes the importance of a well-selected financing scheme to ensure the success and sustainability of the Probolinggo Regional Waste Landfill infrastructure.

A conceptual analysis of the public health-architecture nexus within rapidly developing informal urban contexts

Background: The interactions between people and places can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of individuals, particularly in warm, arid countries such as South Africa. Coupled to this are the various risks that climate change poses to the development of communities, particularly in informal settlements. Several of these risks include the increasing prevalence of contaminants in water and land, as well as the challenges of managing the effects of climate change.Objectives: This conceptual analysis aims to highlight the need for a transdisciplinary approach to investigating the interaction between informal urban living spaces, environmental and social determinants of health and further propose a framework that incorporates tools and strategies to improve health and wellbeing.Discussion: Despite the various advantages of living in an urban environment, many people in informal settlements still lack access to adequate sanitation and water services. This is why it is important that we develop a comprehensive understanding of how these changes can be accommodated in the future. This can be done through the collection of data from the people who live in these communities. A comprehensive understanding of the environmental and social determinants of health, coupled with innovative monitoring systems, would provide a more holistic approach to suggesting a practical strategy for promoting health and wellbeing in communities while working towards developing safe and sustainable health-promoting living spaces.Conclusion: Currently there is a paucity of information regarding access to water, sanitation and health services, coupled with environmental pollution and poor living conditions causing diseases affecting informal communities, furthermore practical and viable changes to address these concerns are similarly lacking. To ensure that healthier built environments are provided for children and adults, transdisciplinary approaches between researchers and collaboration with, communities within informal settlements and with policymakers to promote health advocacy is essential.

Accessibility to WASH and waste management services in African urban informal settlements: A comparative analysis

Abstract The study investigates the existing scenario and spatial distribution pattern disparity of service distribution of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and waste management services (WMS) in urban informal settlements within the Zaria metropolis and generates recommendations for the policymakers for improvements. The study highlights challenges in urban settlements, including insufficient water, sanitation, and waste services, contributing to diseases like diarrhea and cholera. It stresses the importance of better water quality, sanitation, and waste management, and highlights the impact of governance and policies on service gaps. It also suggests using collaborative methods and technologies like GIS for solutions, employing GIS and statistics to analyze service availability and access for residents. The findings underscore the dominant role of the private sector in water treatment plant distribution (71.43%) over public facilities (28.57%). It highlights disparities in toilet types between public and private spaces: pit toilets (55.11%) are prevalent in public restrooms, while the data indicate that most water sources are poorly maintained: Only 0.50% of boreholes are newly constructed, while a significant 43.15% are poorly maintained, and 30.62% are well maintained. Moreover, private toilets are predominantly pit toilets, constituting 3.11% of the total, with no water closets toilets reported.