Sanitation Sector Research Articles

Principles for increasing equity in WASH research: understanding barriers faced by LMIC WASH researchers

IntroductionThere have long been critiques of colonial legacies influencing global health. With growing public awareness of unjust systems in recent years, a new wave of calls for antiracist and decolonisation...

Reflection of Reality and Unreality in the Sanitation Sector in Nepal

This study, explores the development trend of sanitation coverage and compares and contrasts government reports and the reality of the sanitation sector. The researcher has used a descriptive research design and a quantitative research method. The data collection technique was field observation because the researcher observed 228 houses to find the reality of having and not having toilet households. The researcher found that the Nepal Government’s record of sanitation coverage is not real because the Nepal Government claimed cent percent of households have toilets in the study area. But it was found that 60% of households do not have toilets. However, this study does not cover factors of sanitation. The other factors need further study.

A selectivity index for public-private partnership projects in the urban water and sanitation sector in Latin America and the caribbean

The rapid urban development, the Agenda 2030, the climate change adaptation and the COVID 19 crisis highlight the need to increase investment in public infrastructure and improve water supply and sanitation services. For this, an alternative to traditional public procurement is the participation of the private sector under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The objective of this article is to develop a tool based on critical success factors (CSFs) that allows for evaluation during early stages of the convenience of developing a PPP project for W&S in urban areas of Latin America and the Caribbean. The index was developed based on literature review (779 variables), review of cases (20 variables) and expert opinion to assign them an estimated value of importance. The results were analysed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, selecting 17 main variables grouped into 6 CSFs, the most relevant of which are Convenience, Certainty, Leadership, Attraction, Performance and Reliability. The application of this index allows an early assessment of the feasibility of a PPP project and/or the selection of the alternatives with the best chances of success. On the other hand, this study contributes to the international discussion on the most relevant elements related to the success of PPP in W&S projects.

On whose terms: utilities, enterprises or communities? The territorial political economy of water and sanitation sector reforms in Dhaka

Citywide inclusive sanitation (CWIS) is becoming the dominant paradigm for achieving safe sanitation for all by 2030. Its technical benefits have been explored, but the bargaining over financial and organizational changes CWIS entails have not yet been adequately addressed. Our case study explains the stalled rollout of CWIS in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We analyse policy pathways over the past 30 years through a combined territorial political economy and power perspective to understand their effects on equality. We highlight how donors link the introduction of CWIS to the organization of sanitation through a market; how the utility uses CWIS as an opportunity to avoid costly responsibilities in non-sewered sanitation; and how service co-production through community-based solutions is neglected. CWIS has successfully overcome the dogmatic technological focus in the sanitation system, but for citywide sanitation to be scaled inclusively, the dogmatic focus in the organization and financing of the sanitation sector must also be overcome.

Prioritization of sectoral adaptation strategies and practices: A case study for Bangladesh

Climate change adaptation has become a more serious issue to vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. The study areas, as one of the important food baskets of the country, has been experiencing wide-ranging extreme event (flood, riverbank erosion, cold wave, less and erratic rainfall, and prolonged droughts). Here severe affected sectors are agriculture; fisheries; livestock; housing; and drinking water, sanitation and public health. Through participatory Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA), the adaptation strategies were prioritized based on the overall preferences of multiple stakeholder opinions at different level (community/village, upazila/sub-district, and district/regional level). Therefore, using MCA methods of the study areas helped their ideas from different level actors/stakeholders to improve the adaptation strategy, practices and drivers leading to vulnerability. The study found that most priority of adaptation measures of different sector i. e Agriculture; Fisheries; Livestock; Housing; and Drinking Water, Sanitation and Health sector; are Maize, and Sathi Fosol (mixed and relay culture); Livelihood Diversification; Adhi system (shared rearing of livestock); Rising plinth level, and Solar energy, and Ensure safe drinking water, and Enhance health facility and community clinic activities, respectively. The various mechanisms for coping and adaptation practices of different communities were identified in this study. The study suggests further support from the government. Study recommends a combination of the local and scientific knowledge, allocation of resources to the poor, technological transfer and innovative adaptation approaches for Bangladesh.

A efetividade social e a concessão do saneamento à iniciativa privada: o caso do leilão da CEDAE no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract Changes in the regulatory and legal framework for Brazil’s water and sanitation sector (Law 14,026, July 15, 2020) require competitive bidding for service contracts, even in cases where the provision of services was previously delegated to state-owned utilities under program contracts. The aim of this study was to identify the actors who benefited from these changes to the legislation and assess the social effectiveness of the privatization of water supply and sewerage services in the state of Rio de Janeiro by investigating the auction of services provided by the public utility CEDAE in four blocks comprising 35 municipalities in April 2021. We conducted an exploratory analysis of secondary data and used the systemic integration method to identify the main actors involved in the concession process and the role they played. It is concluded that federal, state, and municipal governments, the Brazilian Development Bank, and the concessionaires have gained from the concessions, while the percentage of low-income populations connected to the sewage collection or drainage network is lower and tariffs are higher in municipalities served by the private sector when compared to the municipalities encompassed by the auction.

Social effectiveness and private sanitation concessions: the CEDAE auction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Changes in the regulatory and legal framework for Brazil's water and sanitation sector (Law 14,026, July 15, 2020) require competitive bidding for service contracts, even in cases where the provision of services was previously delegated to state-owned utilities under program contracts. The aim of this study was to identify the actors who benefited from these changes to the legislation and assess the social effectiveness of the privatization of water supply and sewerage services in the state of Rio de Janeiro by investigating the auction of services provided by the public utility CEDAE in four blocks comprising 35 municipalities in April 2021. We conducted an exploratory analysis of secondary data and used the systemic integration method to identify the main actors involved in the concession process and the role they played. It is concluded that federal, state, and municipal governments, the Brazilian Development Bank, and the concessionaires have gained from the concessions, while the percentage of low-income populations connected to the sewage collection or drainage network is lower and tariffs are higher in municipalities served by the private sector when compared to the municipalities encompassed by the auction.

Saneamento básico em pequenas cidades: contribuições do sanitarista Szachna Eliasz Cynamon para a promoção da saúde

The aim was to evaluate the participation of the private initiative in the sanitation sector in municipalities with less than 50 thousand inhabitants and the importance of the model of action of the Special Public Health Service - SESP and of the sanitation actions developed by the sanitary engineer Szachna Eliasz Cynamon in these localities. This is a documentary research with content analysis, exploratory analysis of secondary data and the Mann-Whitney test was used to verify if there are significant differences in the participation of the private sector in larger municipalities. Two videos available to the public of the seminar on the environment and health were examined, as well as indicators of water supply and sanitary sewage on open consultation sites, the sanitarist collection, books and articles on the subject and normative acts. According to the test (p-value<0.05), private companies predominantly operate in larger cities in Brazil, thus, according to the content analysis, the SESP performance model and the practices advocated by Cynamon would currently encourage, sanitation solutions that could lead to environments favorable to health and the desired universalization.

ENDIVIDAMENTO DE EMPRESAS CONCESSIONÁRIAS DE SANEAMENTO E ENERGIA ELÉTRICA NO BRASIL ENTRE 2004 E 2016

This paper aimed to identify the determinants of the Companies indebtedness at Electric and Sanitation sectors in Brazil. It was a quantitative and descriptive research, with secondary data took from the Base of The Best and Greatest of FIPECAFI. To compare the sectors indebtedness levels was used the Multiple Correspondence Analysis Method. The research population were the Sanitation and Electric Power Companies – public and private. The sample were the Electric Power and Sanitation utilities in Brazil, from 2004 to 2016. The results were estimated by Multiple Linear Regression with panel data. Were identifield correlations among the indebt utilities Companies and: (i) size; (ii)profitability; (iii)growth; (iv)tangibility; and (v) risk. Besides, the regulatory structure also showed its influence to the determination of the indebtedness of the Sanitation Companies.

Integrated watershed management solutions for healthy coastal ecosystems and people

AbstractTropical coastal ecosystems are in decline worldwide due to an increasing suite of human activities, which threaten the biodiversity and human wellbeing that these ecosystems support. One of the major drivers of decline is poor water quality from land-based activities. This review summarises the evidence of impacts to coastal ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, from sediments, nutrients, chemicals and pathogens entering coastal zones through surface and groundwater. We also assess how these pollutants affect the health of coastal human populations through: (1) enhanced transmission of infectious diseases; (2) reduced food availability and nutritional deficit from decline of fisheries associated with degraded habitat; and (3) food poisoning from consumption of contaminated seafood. We use this information to identify opportunities for holistic approaches to integrated watershed management (IWM) that target overlapping drivers of ill-health in downstream coastal ecosystems and people. We demonstrate that appropriate management requires taking a multi-sector, systems approach that accounts for socio-ecological feedbacks, with collaboration required across environmental, agricultural, public health, and water, sanitation and hygiene sectors, as well as across the land–sea interface. Finally, we provide recommendations of key actions for IWM that can help achieve multiple sustainable development goals for both nature and people on coasts.

Accelerating progress towards the SDGs: Collaborative policymaking in sanitation for integrated benefits in Sub-Saharan Africa

In 2020, 54% of the world had access to safe sanitation, but access further reduces to 21% in sub-Saharan Africa . With only eight years left to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is an urgent need to accelerate action in the sanitation sector. Previous academic research highlights sanitation as vital for supporting cross-cutting outcomes in health, economics, climate, gender equality, and the environment. However, there is a gap in knowledge outputs for policymakers to highlights how action in sanitation can leverage investment from agencies and ministries to achieve multiple SDGs. Our transdisciplinary team (academics, policymakers, and practitioners) co-developed actionable outputs for diverse audiences to fill this gap, building on an existing global evidence review identifying 130 synergies between sanitation and the SDGs.We identified priority focus areas influencing sanitation policies and financing in Sub-Saharan Africa to collaboratively develop visual aids, policy briefs, and this academic publication to engage cross-sectoral audiences. Our approach offers insights into the value of theoretical knowledge for policy outcomes in the sanitation sector. It is most likely that SDG6 Targets particularly related to sanitation will not be met by 2030 as the sector suffers from under investment. Co-creation between academia and the development sector is critical for consolidating knowledge/research and development practice to influence investment, progress and innovation.

“Older people tend to be invisible”: a qualitative study exploring the needs and inclusion of older Syrian refugees in the context of compounding crises in host country, Lebanon

BackgroundOlder Syrian refugees in Lebanon are a marginalized population with under-recognized health needs. The inclusivity of this population within the humanitarian response is poorly understood. This study aims to identify the unique needs of older Syrian refugees in the context of recent concurrent crises in Lebanon, and explore the extent to which they are being met and prioritized by local and international aid agencies.MethodsWe conducted in-depth interviews with a snowball sample of 26 stakeholders from 11 organizations operating in the health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene sectors. Data analysis followed principles of thematic analysis.ResultsConcurrent political, economic, and public health crises in host country promoted income insecurity among older refugees and increased dependency on younger relatives, leading to food insecurity, neglect, and poor health outcomes, including the sequelae of untreated non-communicable diseases. Mental illness was perceived to be exacerbated by Covid-19 related challenges, including social isolation, uncertainty about the future, and additionally due to feelings of guilt related to economic dependence and fundamental exclusion from labor force participation. Despite their vulnerability, older refugees are overlooked by the humanitarian response, which may be related to a lack of data. Pervasive medication shortages in the setting of the economic collapse, as well as inaccessible physical environments and competing interests were all identified as major barriers to care.ConclusionsOlder Syrian refugees in Lebanon experience dual vulnerability that is acutely exacerbated in the setting of concurrent crises. Sociopolitical, economic, and cultural barriers promote social exclusion and may confer an increased risk of income and food insecurity in this population, with significant implications for health. Humanitarian aid agencies operating in the context of fragmented, under-resourced health systems are currently unable to sufficiently address multi-faceted needs of this community. We recommend moving away from a donor-dependent model of aid by allocating resources toward strengthening inclusive national health systems that emphasize preventative care. We further call for age-disaggregation of routine data and normalization of data sharing among stakeholders in the academic and public health sectors in order to develop evidence-based initiatives that can meet the needs of this under-served community.

Variation on Work Demands and Sleep Disturbances Concerning Fixed and Rotating Shifts in the Water, Sanitation, and Waste Sector

The growing production of waste and increased use of water and sanitation systems worldwide have been pressuring the water, sanitation, and waste sectors. This study analyzed the perception of the determinants of work activity among workers from the water, sanitation, and waste sector in Portugal, the variation in the work demands among different shift types, and the main predictors of sleep disturbances. Data collection was performed through a questionnaire administered to 300 workers in 2017 and 2019. An ageing population was identified in all shift types. Possible occupational trajectories with changes from the fixed night and early morning shifts to daytime and fast rotating shifts may be linked to health conditions. Workers in fixed night and early morning shifts perceived higher physical demands and environmental discomfort, lower social support, and job dissatisfaction. Workers in daytime or fast rotating shifts perceived higher cognitive demands. Sleep disturbances were perceived more negatively among those working permanently on night and early morning shifts. The main predictors of sleep disturbance in both years were the type of shift, and high physical demands. The study highlights the relevance of characterizing the work demands to establish future strategies to improve the health and well-being of shift workers.

Mapping of the Sanitation Sector in Brazil from the Perspective of the Actor-Network Theory

O setor de saneamento é complexo e com muitos atores que imprimem forças distintas ao campo, sendo assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar a situação da accountability no setor de saneamento, através de um mapeamento dos atores e das informações que publicam. O desenho metodológico da pesquisa utilizou a Teoria Ator-Rede (TAR) para a construção do perfil dos atores e compreensão das suas atividades dentro da rede estudada em duas etapas. Primeiramente, a identificação dos atores cumpriu quatro quesitos: identificação dos objetivos e/ou histórico do ator (natureza central das informações); esfera de atuação; contingente de usuários beneficiados e atingidos; local de extração das informações utilizadas para o mapeamento. Na sequência, para identificação das dinâmicas das relações, foram utilizados conceitos da TAR: problematização; atração de interesses; recrutamento; e mobilização. Foram estudados 61 agentes e categorizados os atores conforme a sua atuação. Foram identificados quatro principais atores do setor de saneamento: o Sistema de Informações sobre o Setor de Saneamento (SNIS); as Empresas presentes na Bolsa de Valores; as Empresas presentes no SNIS e as Agências Reguladoras. O mapeamento de informações efetuado sugere que o setor ainda está voltado predominantemente para as questões financeiras, sem iniciativas robustas que incluam as perspectivas sociais e ambientais, o que é preocupante para um setor crucial para o desenvolvimento sustentável.

Constructed Wetlands as a Solution for Sustainable Sanitation: A Comprehensive Review on Integrating Climate Change Resilience and Circular Economy

About eighty percent of wastewater is discharged into the environment untreated. Many challenges are decelerating solving the global sanitation problem, such as the financial limitations and lack of technical capacities. Parallel to this, many countries are facing a growing demand on their limited water resources. Higher water demand and limited availability leads to over-abstraction and deterioration in the availability and quality water resources. In this situation, wastewater can be a new water source. Therefore, there is a growing interest in finding low-cost, easy-to-operate and sustainable sanitation solutions. Constructed wetlands (CWs) in recent years have proved their capability in the sanitation sector as an appropriate sanitation system in different contexts, CWs have proved their ability to treat several types of wastewaters for several decades. Several benefits and facts, such as the low construction and operational costs of CWs, low-energy, and less operational requirements, have raised the interests in CWs as a treatment technology. Several studies have investigated CWs suitability based on different sustainability indices (technical, social, environmental, etc.). In this paper, a comprehensive review covers the definition, types, treatment processes, sustainability criteria, limitations, and challenges of CWs. The paper also focuses on climate change resilience and circular economic approach under the technical and financial criteria, respectively.

Introducing a Framework for Analyzing Weaknesses in Institutional Service Delivery and the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation: Case Studies from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Mozambique, and Niger

This article discusses how weaknesses in the governance of the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector may present barriers to the assurance of human rights to WASH. The analytical framework in this article involves four key actors involved in the service-delivery process, operating across a three-way accountability connection linking the State, service providers, and citizens. The framework, drawn from the World Bank’s 2004 World Development Report, is applied to the following countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Mozambique, and Niger. The findings suggest that breakdowns in provision can be strongly linked to disruptions in the accountability association between the State and WASH providers. Informed by the human-rights literature, suggestions are made as to how to increase financing and coverage for the sector. These include encouraging greater coordination across different levels of government, improving the governance structure, and reducing funding gaps.

Public procurement law, political economy of the lowest responsive bidding, and the development of the water, sanitation and hygiene sector in Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study challenges the argument that the non-enforceability of the procurement law is the bane of infrastructural development in Nigeria. Focusing on the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector, the article argues that various attempts at procurement regulation were in fact moves to expand capital accumulation in the service delivery sector. Highly placed individuals leverage the lowest responsive bidding mechanism to engage in sharp practices which undermine the development of the WASH sector in the country. Given the prevailing scenario which presents the state, its institutions and laws – including the procurement legislation – as instruments in the hands of the dominant social forces, any investments in and attempts at rule enforcement tend to produce only minimal outcomes.

Validation of the UNICEF fiscal diagnostic tool for SDGs 6.1 and 6.2 in East and Southern Africa using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP)

Abstract The UN High Level Panel on Water notes that a total annual capital expenditure (CAPEX) of $114 billion of $129 billion is required globally to meet the safe drinking water and sanitation targets 1 and 2 of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). Annual operation and maintenance expenditure (OPEX) will increase, averaging $129 billion by 2030. In Sub-Saharan Africa, $36 billion is required and UNICEF estimates $15 billion is required to meet these targets in 21 countries in East and Southern Africa. Currently, only 15% of the financial investments in the sector are accounted for, which falls significantly short of delivering SDG 6. Consequently, innovative finance tools that maximise taxes, tariffs and transfers (3ts) are required to mobilise finances for the region's sector. This paper presents a diagnostic methodology for identifying bankable and blended finance projects in East and Southern Africa's water and sanitation sector. Potential projects were identified in Malawi, Mozambique and Ethiopia. Findings from applying the AHP (analytical hierarchy process) analysis recommend the use of the decision-making tool for prioritisation and selection of water and sanitation projects in the context of multiple projects requiring blended finance. The methods are applicable to other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa to enhance project pipelines whose collective cost and revenue mitigate investment risk.

Assessment of women participation in sanitation value chain in low-income rural areas: a case study of South Imenti, Meru county

Public participation is extensively acknowledged as predominantly indispensable to the success of sanitation and water projects in rural areas in developing countries. Women are the foremost users of water schemes in rural areas and have numerous ideas on how water and sanitation management can be enhanced. Women's participation in sanitation in South Imenti has recently surfaced as an area of interest in the past decade, there has been rapidly growing evidence of women lagging behind in taking part in sanitation. In this context, the study involved examining how management and knowledge of sanitation are gendered, determining women's participation in sanitation development, governance and management, and evaluating the challenges hindering their participation. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. In-depth interviews and questionnaires were used to conduct the study. Purposive sampling was used to select three locations in South Imenti sub-county and a sample size of 100 determined using Yamane's formula. Data was collected from December 2021 to March 2022. 75 respondents aged 18 years and above took part in the study. 58.6% (44) respondents filled the questionnaires and 41.3% (31) respondents were interviewed. The data was entered into statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software and presented using descriptive statistics. The results showed that 80.4% (n=41) of the women in South Imenti were not fully taking part in sanitation projects, despite them being known as primary sanitation attendants at the household level. Women's contribution was very minimal in sanitation activities involving community members, besides, their contribution was greatly under looked. The study findings revealed various roles played by both men and women in the sanitation group. 20.8% (n=5) of men were in charge of decision making, chairing and directing meeting discussions, and mobilization of funds for sanitation projects. 16.7%(n=4) of men provided labour during the construction of a projects, 37.5%(n=9) coordinated day to day running of projects and 25%(n=6) organized for donors' visits as well contributed funds to the group and were key actors during elections. On another hand 80.4%(n=41) of women were involved in domestics chores like cooking for constructors, ensuring cleaningness of sanitation facilities and compounds as well 29.4% (n=15) of women welcomed and entertained guests during a meetings and led in prayers during meetings times.35.3%(n=18) of women were not included in policy and decision-making about sanitation projects since it was given a blind eye concealed under community beliefs, practices, and norms.The finding als revealed numerous determinants to women participation among them were financial rewards 27%(n=14),source of income 20%(n=10),influenced by leaders 14%(n=7) and fear of consequences 10%(n=5) .Various challenges hindered women participation where 49%(n=25)had tight schedules ,age disparity 15.7% (n=8),low literacy level 31.4%(n=16)and lack of registration fees 29.4%(n=15) among others. Women's rights and freedoms in leadership and management abilities were hindered by old-fashioned cultural practices and busy schedules. Both men and women should be included in community sanitation projects to boost the sanitation sector in the attainment of its goals and specifically meet sanitation targets. This research study gives detailed rich information on women in sanitation, contributes to critical literature, and provides many insights for further research on women's participation in sanitation. It also gives a greater understanding of women’s position in sanitation and reduces any kind of potential gender discrimination and promote policy implementation.

Privatization of public goods: Evidence from the sanitation sector in Senegal

Privatization of a public good (the management of sewage treatment centers in Dakar, Senegal) leads to an increase in the productivity of downstream sewage dumping companies and a decrease in downstream prices of the services they provide to households. We use the universe of legal dumping of sanitation waste from May 2009 to May 2018 to show that legal dumping increased substantially following privatization—on average an increase of 74%, or an increase of about 1640 trips to treatment centers each month. This is due to increased productivity of all trucks, not just those associated with the company managing the privatized treatment centers. Household-level survey data shows that downstream prices of legal sanitary dumping decreased by 5% following privatization, and DHS data shows that diarrhea rates among children under five decreased in Dakar relative to secondary cities in Senegal following privatization with no similar effect on respiratory illness as a placebo.