As cities in low- and middle-income countries expand rapidly, sanitation infrastructure struggles to keep pace, with nearly 700 million people still lacking even basic sanitation access. Lack of sanitation access leads to open defecation, overflowing pit latrines, and untreated discharge into waterways – with health impacts disproportionally felt by the poorest and most vulnerable parts of the population. But in the rush to provide safe sanitation services, are we thinking enough about their impact on the climate?

Recent research reveals that some sanitation solutions release significant methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide[1]. A study conducted by USAID Urban Resilience by Building Partnerships and Applying New Evidence in WASH (URBAN WASH) projected methane emissions associated with future sanitation scenarios in urban Sub-Saharan Africa. It estimates that sanitation systems in urban sub-Saharan Africa currently contribute 3-5% of the region’s total annual anthropogenic methane emissions. This percentage is projected to increase to nearly double by 2030 if current technologies continue to be adopted (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Estimated emissions from sanitation in urban Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (excluding South Africa) as a proportion of total annual anthropogenic methane emissions

With limited coverage of sewerage in low- and middle- income countries, most of these emissions come from household waste containment systems, such as pits and septic tanks. As these facilities fill, they generate methane. And, once emptied, the treatment of the sludge, like the treatment of wastewater, can release significant amounts of methane. Promising solutions exist to curb these emissions during containment and treatment. This study assessed interventions across the sanitation chain – waste containment and treatment.

Some of the solutions include reducing water content in containment systems, such as by lining dry pits in areas with high groundwater tables. But methane abatement solutions are still missing for wet containment technologies. At treatment plants, solutions like composting, drying beds, or that directly capture methane during treatment, can mitigate emissions. Integrated sanitation service models like container-based sanitation, which safely captures waste in a frequently emptied container that is taken for treatment off-site, are an alternative to traditional systems. However, barriers impede scaling of these solutions.

Here are four ways we can work collaboratively to design climate-smart sanitation systems while also protecting public health:

1. Implement proven solutions where they are contextually appropriate.
2. Experiment with promising interventions to generate evidence for further scaling.
3. Innovate to address gaps in the identified abatement approaches.
4. Create a favorable enabling environment to increase awareness of the climate impact of sanitation systems and incentivise the adoption of more climate-friendly technologies and services.

Some key questions remain. For approaches that we know can eliminate, or greatly minimise, methane emissions, there are still questions about how to make them viable in low- and middle-income countries. For many of the promising approaches, we still need more empirical research to understand their emission profiles at scale. And we still need research and development of new technologies and novel approaches.

While more research is needed, the urgency of climate change means we need action today. Implementing no-regret solutions where possible, generating evidence, supporting innovation, and strengthening the enabling environment must start now.

The sanitation sector aims to eliminate public health hazards. By integrating climate-conscious planning, the sanitation sector can simultaneously become a part of the climate solution. Turning the sanitation sector from a driver to a reducer of emissions requires rethinking how we approach sanitation but can be done without sacrificing our public health goals. As access to sanitation expands across rapidly developing countries over the next 10-15 years, now is the time to bring climate into the conversation. At the moment, the sector’s greenhouse gas footprint is rapidly expanding; it is our responsibility to ensure that we do all we can to reduce and reverse this trend.

Want to learn more about designing lower-methane sanitation systems? Attend the workshop “Climate impact of sanitation technologies: Where are we headed?” on Thursday 14 December, Session 2 in Room MH1 at the IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition in Kigali, Rwanda on Thursday 14 December 2023 where we will explore research insights, challenges, and potential solutions to curb methane emissions from sanitation.  You can also access URBAN WASH’s recent publication on this topic here: “Managing the climate impact of human waste”.

Join us and other water and development experts who will convene to find relevant solutions tailored for low- and middle-income countries. Registration is open.

[1] Johnson, J., Zakaria, F., Nkurunziza, A. G., Way, C., Camargo-Valero, M. A., & Evans, B. (2022). Whole-system analysis reveals high greenhouse-gas emissions from citywide sanitation in Kampala, Uganda. Communications Earth & Environment, 3(1), 80.

*WS 36 Mitigating The Climate Impact Of Sanitation: Where Are We Headed? on Thursday 14 December, Session 2, Room MH1 

This World Toilet Day, we’re spotlighting innovative and unconventional solutions to accelerate change and achieve universal access to sustainable sanitation services where it is most needed. As it emerged from the 1st IWA Conference on Non-Sewered Sanitation (NSS) recently held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 16-18 October 2023, off-grid sanitation solutions can be a game changer for those still lacking access to safely managed sanitation. 

Millions of people around the world do not have proper sanitation facilities. The statistics are alarming: approximately 4.2 billion people, over half of the global population, lack access to safely managed sanitation. We have reached the halfway mark of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030. However, progress has stagnated, is unevenly distributed between countries, and is inadequate to eliminate the inequalities to ensure that the most vulnerable are reached. Inadequate sanitation has far-reaching consequences, posing significant health risks, environmental pollution, ecosystem degradation, and human rights violations.  

According to a recent Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Report, achieving universal coverage by 2030 will require a sixfold increase in current rates of progress for safely managed drinking water, a fivefold increase for safely managed sanitation, and a threefold increase for basic hygiene services. The next seven years have been referred to as a sprint to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  

The next 20 years will be a golden age for wastewater and sanitation, now is the time for #SanitAction. This year’s World Toilet Day’s focus on Accelerating Change reminds us of the urgent need to speed up progress in ensuring access to safe and dignified sanitation for all. It provides an opportunity to highlight a global issue often overlooked but crucial for human well-being: sanitation. Adequate access to clean and safe sanitation facilities is a fundamental human right, a cornerstone of public health, and a catalyst for positive change in diverse aspects of life. 

The 1st IWA Conference on Non-Sewered Sanitation: A Game Changer 

The just concluded 1st IWA Non-Sewered Sanitation (NSS) Conference couldn’t have been more than timely as we take stock of the progress registered thus far towards achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG 6.2. It provided an opportunity to reflect on the sanitation service inequality that still plagues our world.

The NSS Conference offered the much-needed space for innovative thinking and discussions on off-grid solutions for sanitation, which are critically important to address the significant service delivery gaps not met by conventional centralised systems. What we’ve learned from the conference is that the status quo is not an option and 19th-century solutions won’t work anymore. As such, we need to rethink sanitation and move towards more off-grid, decentralised, and circular approaches.  

The topics discussed spanned from innovative technologies, financing models, governance, and capacity building to urban sanitation approaches including nature-based solutions, climate-resilient approaches, City-wide Inclusive Sanitation, and the fundamental role of research. The event offered a diverse group of delegates and a great line-up of distinguished speakers and experts who shared insights, experiences, and knowledge. The African Development Bank and African Water Facility shared insights  about the “Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII)” – a new sanitation-focussed financing window to support City Wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) in Africa’s cities and urban areas. It is great to see increased and dedicated funding and investments towards sanitation, and such funds including the AUSII are needed to enhance the efforts of African governments to meet the targets of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for water and sanitation. In another workshop, a team of experts from the University of Technology Sydney – Institute for Sustainable Futures (UTS-ISF) and the University of South Florida, presented an innovative approach – ClimateFIRST – for designing climate-resilient non-sewered sanitation technologies. The approach involves a process that considers how climate-related hazards can affect sanitation technology and how the risks of these hazards can be reduced through technology design. 

The Role of Integrated Urban Services Planning in the Sanitation Revolution

It was also impressive to witness the participation of non-sanitation experts and stakeholders, particularly urban planners, housing, and development sector representatives, in such an exclusive sanitation event. This proves that sanitation is a critical component of and is intrinsically linked to water supply, wastewater, drainage, and solid waste management – all of which are critical service delivery components of urban planning and development. There is growing evidence and discussions supporting this, including the recently published reports by UN-Habitat on “Global Report on Sanitation and Wastewater Management in Cities and Human Settlements”; Advancements in and Integration of Water, Sanitation, and Solid Waste for Low- and Middle-Income Countries; To integrate or not to integrate? Water and waste as unified basic services; and IWA’s publication on Lessons Learnt: Regulating for CWIS. I would like to believe that we can only be able to fast-track progress in this second half of the SDG era if we deliberately adopt a more integrated, multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach to address the global sanitation challenges albeit the increasing effects of climate change and urbanisation. We need a paradigm shift to change the status quo – let’s stop speaking to ourselves as sanitation experts and involve all key stakeholders. 

Accelerating Change: The Global Acceleration Framework and SanitAction 

“Accelerating Change” suggests a sense of urgency and ambition. It encourages governments, organisations, and communities to step up their efforts.  

A ray of hope beams over the horizon – we have a starting point. The UN-Water has developed an SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework: a unifying initiative designed to deliver fast results. The five accelerators (financing, governance, capacity development, innovation, and data and information) provide a valuable framework for achieving accelerated, coordinated progress on sanitation. Importantly, the five accelerators are cross-cutting and interdependent; work under one may overlap with others. The framework also requires a collaborative approach leveraging public-private partnerships. As many countries, cities, towns, and communities are at different levels of progress, the priority interventions will vary from context to context, thus the framework should be contextualised and localised. 

This World Toilet Day 2023 underscores the urgency and importance of addressing sanitation issues worldwide. It’s a call to action for governments, UN Agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, academia and individuals to redouble their efforts to ensure that everyone, everywhere can enjoy their basic right to proper sanitation. Let’s unite in our efforts to accelerate change and achieve universal access to sustainable sanitation services. Join the SanitAction movement and be a part of the solution. Share your thoughts, ideas, and actions using #SanitAction and together, let’s leave no one behind in the pursuit of inclusive urban sanitation for all.

The climate crisis demands urgent action across all sectors to reduce emissions and adapt to changing climatic conditions and sanitation is no exception. While there are no quick fixes, emerging research shows that actively managed services such as container-based sanitation benefit both adaptation and mitigation and should have the potential to secure valuable – and so far, elusive – sources of climate finance.

Sanitation is estimated to contribute a whopping 4% of global human-caused greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including 2-6% of global methane and 1-3% of global nitrous oxide emissions. In Kampala, half the city’s emissions are due to sanitation despite the city having many other sources of emissions. Researchers are only recently discovering the significance of sanitation, which has been estimated by the GWI to contribute two-thirds of global WASH emissions, with water contributing the remaining third. Of these, half are estimated to stem from sewers and half from off grid sanitation – the latter largely stemming from anaerobic digestion in pit latrines and septic tanks that are not frequently emptied, and from wastewater treatment plants lacking methane capture.

At the World Water Week session on Mobilizing Innovations: taking action on climate resilient sanitation in last August, convened by partners of the Climate Resilient Sanitation coalition, Barbara Evans of Leeds University presented her recent research on measuring emissions from off grid sanitation. She was clear: there are no magic bullets, BUT but most of the evidence suggests that ‘actively managed WASH’ helps improve resilience and reduce emissions.  

How does this work? By frequently collecting and treating waste, and often separating faeces from urine, actively managed services such as container-based sanitation (CBS) reduce anaerobic degradation and related emissions.  

In the container-based sanitation (CBS) community, we have long been passionate about seeing sanitation as a service, not just a technology. We’re often asked about our toilet design and hardware, which varies amongst providers – as do their waste treatment processes and human waste-derived products. A key common thread, however, is the service element. To our surprise, we’re now realising that the frequent emptying that the service provides brings added climate benefits – both for adaptation as well as mitigation.

Actively managed services also support adaptation by reducing the risk of untreated waste leaking into the environment during flooding. CBS systems also use little if any water and are thus well suited to areas facing water scarcity.  

With the mitigation potential in mind, in 2020 CBSA developed a calculator tool to measure CBS greenhouse gas emissions and found that CBS systems can significantly reduce GHG emissions from sanitation, estimating that the four operators studied collectively mitigated 44,000 tCO2e over a year, representing 60% to 96% of baseline emissions, confirming CBS as a climate-smart solution. Further research in Haiti, found CBS reduced GHG by 126 kg CO2e per person per year. These figures are the equivalent of 112,796 and 323 miles driven by an average petrol-powered car, respectively.  

Despite this, the links between sanitation and climate are still lacking. There is minimal inclusion of sanitation in climate policy and financing, including in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) climate pledges and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). This means that little climate finance, which aims to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change, reaches water and sanitation projects.  

Recognising this, CBSA has been looking into the potential of carbon credits for unlocking a form of climate finance. Our 2022 feasibility study found that, despite several challenges, carbon credits have the potential to provide a viable revenue stream for CBS providers in urban contexts. Modelling CBS scale up projections using existing carbon credit methodologies, the five services examined, collectively earned US$2.4 million in eligible carbon credit revenue over five years for approximately 81,000 toilets and co-treated solid waste.  

While this is exciting, accessing carbon credits remains costly and complex and only starts to become viable when operating at a particular scale, i.e., at least a small neighbourhood of 5-10,000 households. Still, given these numbers, the twin benefits of adaptation and mitigation could be an interesting win-win for climate-conscious utilities and for those trying to raise climate finance which is still heavily skewed towards mitigation.  

To be clear, while some forms of sanitation may be able to gain revenue from carbon credits, they will not be lucrative enough to close the funding gap left between actual servicing costs and user payments/product sales. This is partly because of the significant registry and consultant fees; partly because the latest emission factors have not yet been officially acknowledged and partly because of many eligibility rules and other carbon credit complexities. CBSA is currently working to address these where possible to make carbon credits more accessible to CBS operators. 

The sector still has a long way to go, but the adaptation and mitigation benefits of active management provide an important, and potentially game-changing, opportunity to address climate issues and unlock new sources of funding.

Photo credits: SOIL (cover image) and Clean Team Ghana

While the water supply and sanitation sector in Uganda has undergone significant, systemic changes over the last decade, the 2009 Tariff Policy no longer spoke to the realities of delivering safe, financially sustainable, and socially equitable services. For this reason, Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) decided to review existing water tariffs and develop a new tariff policy suitable for multiple models of managing networked and non-networked water service systems and sources.

The first step was to assess the 2009 Tariff Policy. The major observations were:

• Limited scope: The policy mostly covered small towns, rural growth centres, and sewered sanitation, with little attention on urban areas and non-sewered sanitation.
• Out of date: The policy’s strategy and targets aligned with outdated national and international goals (e.g., the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), which ended in 2011, and the Millennium Development Goals, which ended in 2015).
• Inadequate subsidisation framework: The policy did not allow for cross-subsidisation between customer types.
• Unclear steps for implementation: Implementation activities, roles, and responsibilities were not clearly outlined or assigned.

Through further research and consultations, four key priorities emerged for a new tariff policy:

1. Structured and transparent subsidies: A policy should encourage clarity and transparency about how and why public finance is being leveraged to improve services.
2. Flexibility: A policy should outline common guiding principles for all providers while allowing them to develop tariff structures appropriate for their service delivery context.
3. Reinforce service provider contracts and business plans: A policy should guide how various instruments will work together to guide service planning and delivery.
4. Long-term cost recovery: Tariffs should be situated in a long-term strategy to improve cost-recovery rates.

The new tariff policy, developed by Athena Infonomics in partnership with WSS Services (U) Ltd., was accepted by MWE in 2023 and now:

• Covers all declared water and sewer authorities, water point sources, and all aspects of sewered sanitation and non-sewered sanitation.
• Establishes a uniform tariff structure across all systems and service areas.
• Promotes inclusivity through different tariffs for specific customer groups, including poor households who were previously only able to access lower-cost water through public standpipes, and allows for cross-subsidisation within a service area.
• Provides a more relevant and expanded concept of subsidies, including eligibility requirements for subsidies linked to performance improvement plans.
• Includes an implementation strategy that stipulates activities and assigns roles and responsibilities to MWE departments.

This last point is fundamental. One of the findings from this process was that many service authorities need to build up their own internal systems, assign roles and responsibilities, before they can design and implement a sophisticated, context-appropriate tariff structure. This is especially true in the case of Uganda’s six regional ‘Umbrella Authorities’ (UAs), which cover rural communities and small towns that the national water utility does not reach. As relatively new service authorities, the UAs need to build up their internal organisational capacities and processes if they are to serve geographically disparate and financially challenging customer bases without government support.

The new policy’s accompanying implementation strategy therefore includes several prerequisites if new tariff structures are to be successfully designed and applied. Efforts to professionalise the UAs are underway, including a World Bank-funded project where Athena Infonomics is supporting improved accounting/financial systems and ingraining sustainable operations and maintenance practices.

Positioning UAs and other stakeholders to respond to the new tariff policy will take time, but the revised policy and associated tariff-setting guidelines are a major turning point in the delivery of water sanitation services in Uganda, underlining MWE’s commitment to achieving universal access to safely managed water and sanitation through steady systems-building. The provisions in the new tariff policy are also well aligned with the principles of citywide inclusive sanitation. The International Water Association’s publication on “Lessons Learnt: Regulating for Citywide Inclusive Sanitation” particularly highlights cross-subsidisation from water to sanitation, and from affluent areas to less affluent areas, to make service provision affordable and feasible.

We invite you to continue the discussion around inclusive water and sanitation systems and regulations at the upcoming IWA Water and Development Congress in Kigali, Rwanda on 10-14 December 2023. Registration is open.

Cover image: courtesy of Nina R. via Flickr

In an effort to address the growing need for sustainable water and sanitation solutions in urban areas, GWOPA (Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance) hosted a side event at the 2nd UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. The event, titled “Partnerships for Localising Multilateralism: Implications of the Water Action Agenda on Urban Development,” brought together key stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the Water Action Agenda and its impact on urban development. With increasing urbanisation and the challenges posed by climate change, the event aimed to foster collaboration and strengthen partnerships to ensure safe and affordable access to water and sanitation services. 

The Water Action Agenda, a result of the UN 2023 Water Conference, holds great significance in accelerating progress towards SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities). Access to essential services such as water and sanitation is crucial for achieving safe and affordable housing in urban areas. With urbanisation and climate change adding pressure on existing systems, it is estimated that the demand for water in cities will rise by 50-70% over the next three decades. Localising water and sanitation service delivery through multi-stakeholder partnerships reflects the spirit of multilateralism and presents opportunities for accelerated progress toward SDGs 6 and 11.1. 

The side event witnessed the participation of over 60 individuals, including prominent keynote speakers. The discussions revolved around the importance of collaboration across sectors and the need to strengthen partnerships at the local level. Key emphasis was placed on inclusivity and the availability of financial support to drive sustainable action on water-related issues. Several influential speakers highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and inclusive decision-making processes.

Dr. Rose Kaggwa of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation emphasised the need for collaboration across sectors and boundaries, particularly by engaging the youth and allocating adequate budgets.

Ms. Dian Irawati from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Indonesia, stressed the significance of cross-sectoral action to engage all stakeholders, create innovative solutions, and mobilise effective action. Mr. Arnold Cole of UNICEF’s Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa highlighted the need to strengthen systems, institutions, and governance while emphasising the role of finance as an enabler to achieve SDG 6. 

Enhancing Partnerships through Water Action 

The event shed light on the crucial role played by GWOPA in enhancing partnerships at the local level. Ms. Zainab Mpakiraba, Principal Engineer at the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Uganda, added that utilities are key actors in the implementation of sustainable solutions. GWOPA’s Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Congress has inspired utilities to take action by addressing their challenges and seeking support from each other. Ms. Rasa Ščeponavičiūtė, Deputy Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-HABITAT, European Union Delegation to the Republic of Kenya, further stressed the supportive role of GWOPA in providing water services in urban areas, highlighting the importance of UN coordination in this sector. 

The side event hosted by GWOPA at the 2nd UN-Habitat Assembly was an important platform for stakeholders to discuss and collaborate on improving urban development through the Water Action Agenda. The event highlighted the need for strong partnerships, inclusivity, and financial support to address the challenges posed by urbanisation and climate change. By localising water and sanitation service delivery and adopting a multi-stakeholder approach, progress can be accelerated towards achieving SDGs 6 and 11.1.

With GWOPA’s role in enhancing partnerships at the local level, and the commitment and dedication of all stakeholders, there is hope for sustainable water and sanitation solutions in urban areas. As we continue our work, it is crucial to be bolder in our actions, articulate our expectations, and establish robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability. We look forward to sharing more solutions and insights at the upcoming IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition in Kigali, Rwanda on 10-14 December 2023. Registration is opening soon – find out more. 

Urban water inequality is a significant challenge in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, a city of 1.4 million inhabitants, the majority of whom have transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle. The city’s harsh climatic conditions and uneven development exacerbate the issue, particularly in the Gers located on the outskirts, where nomads reside in temporary tent houses. 

Rapid urbanisation and commercialisation in Mongolia have not only affected the pastoral way of life, culture, and tradition but also the environment. The majority of the urban poor in Ulaanbaatar, including former nomads and pastoral communities, live in traditional Ger areas. These areas lack services such as fresh water, wastewater disposal, and central heating systems. In winter, extreme temperatures lead to the use of raw coal, rubber, and even plastic for heating. This, combined with environmental degradation, has caused water problems and social issues, particularly in rapidly growing Ger areas.

Water Inequality and Gender Disparities 

Ger areas suffer from limited access to safe water and sanitation. Most residents rely on unsealed pit latrines and unsafe water sources such as rivers, springs, and hand-dug wells. Women, who are primarily responsible for managing water, face greater risks and challenges, further exacerbated by social class differences. The labour-intensive process of fetching, storing, and managing water negatively impacts their well-being. Inadequate sanitation facilities and expensive private bathhouses pose additional hardships, particularly during menstruation. Water-related practices also increase the risk of violence against women and girls. 

To achieve inclusive urban sanitation, it is crucial to understand the diverse water practices and analyse the associated inequalities. Efforts to address urban water inequality in Ulaanbaatar must acknowledge the diverse challenges and consequences faced by different social groups. A uniform set of solutions cannot adequately address water issues, as they vary across locations. Detailed analysis should consider the embedded gender, class, and socioeconomic dynamics in daily water practices, highlighting the consequences and inequalities related to water and sanitation access. Further research and investments are necessary to promote inclusive, resilient, water-wise, and sanitation-secure cities. 

By promoting inclusive urban sanitation, we can strive towards equitable access to safe water and sanitation for all. Efforts should focus on addressing the challenges faced by the urban poor in Ger areas, particularly women and girls who bear the brunt of water-related responsibilities. Adequate sanitation facilities, improved water supply systems, and targeted interventions can contribute to the wellbeing and empowerment of marginalised communities. With a comprehensive understanding of water practices and a commitment to equality, Ulaanbaatar can build a sustainable and inclusive future.  

I look forward to continuing the discussion on water inequality, gender and sanitation at the upcoming IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition on 10-14 December 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda. The congress has a strong focus on improving urban sanitation, inclusiveness and equality. Discover the programme topics here and save the date! waterdevelopmentcongress.org

Insights provided by Khulan Dorjsuren, Environmental Specialist from Ulaanbaatar Mongolia

In 2015, the world committed to Sustainable Development Goal 6 – the promise that everyone would have safely managed water and sanitation by 2030. This year’s World Water Day acts as a reminder for everyone to take action to secure progress on water and sanitation. This year’s theme of Accelerating Change emphasises the need to speed up efforts towards achieving sustainable water management practices. 

Water is a vital resource for life on earth, and its importance cannot be overemphasised. However, despite its critical role in sustaining life, access to safe and clean water remains a significant challenge for many communities worldwide with 1 in 4 people – 2.2 billion people without access to safely managed drinking water, while 4.2 billion go without safe sanitation services and 3 billion lack basic handwashing facilities. Rapid urbanisation, climate change, and unsustainable water management practices have all contributed to the global water and sanitation crisis. 

To accelerate change and secure progress on water and sanitation, governments, organisations, and individuals must work together to promote sustainable water management practices. This includes investing in infrastructure and technologies that improve access to clean water, reducing water waste and pollution, and promoting water conservation and efficiency. To achieve this, the needs of women and girls, of the vulnerable, marginalised and rural communities must be taken into account in order to deliver access to clean water and safe sanitation. This can be addressed through innovative solutions such as community-led water projects and investment in sustainable water technologies. 

Another critical area that requires attention is the need to reduce water waste and pollution. Agriculture, industry, and households are major contributors to water pollution and waste. Efforts to reduce waste and pollution can be achieved through better water management practices, including wastewater treatment, sustainable agricultural practices, and the use of water-efficient technologies. 

Climate change is also a significant challenge that affects water resources. Extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and hurricanes have become more frequent and intense, resulting in water scarcity and reduced water quality. To accelerate change and address the impacts of climate change, governments and organisations must invest in climate-resilient water infrastructure and promote the use of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Here’s how we can act and make a difference individually: 

1. Reduce water usage: You can reduce water consumption by taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and using drought-resistant plants in your garden. 
2. Support water-saving initiatives: You can support water-saving initiatives in your community by volunteering, donating, or advocating for change. 
3. Educate others: Spread awareness about the importance of water and the water crisis by educating your family, friends, and community about the issue. 
4. Make sustainable choices: Make sustainable choices in your daily life by choosing products and services that have been produced with minimal water usage. 
5. Advocate for change: Advocate for change at the local, national, and international level by supporting policies and initiatives that promote sustainable water management practices.

By taking these simple steps, you can play your part in accelerating change and secure progress on water and sanitation.  But water and sanitation are complex sectors and thus also require good governance and cooperation. Here’s how governments can act and make a difference:  

1. Allocate adequate funding 
2. Involve and engage the public  in the planning, implementation, and management of water services 
3. Develop innovative policies and governance mechanisms based on climate resilient and inclusive WASH services 
4. Engage, support and incentivise private sector operators and other stakeholders to take bold and sustainable water action. 

IWA Resources

In addition to these steps, we urge water professionals, institutions, policymakers and wider stakeholders to consult our resources to secure a water wise future. The International Water Association actively promotes a comprehensive and integrated approach to managing water – one that envisages resilient and Water-Wise Cities. We invite you to learn more about our initiatives, particularly the IWA Principles for Water-Wise Cities, the Climate Smart Utilities initiative, and our Inclusive Urban Sanitation initiative – all providing practical inspiring case studies and high-impact stories on urban water and sanitation, and sustainable water management from all over the world. 

World Water Day 2023 and the UN Water Conference  

This World Water Day, IWA will co-host and participate in a wide range of events during the UN Water Conference in New York on 22-24 March 2023.  >> Here you can find the list of activities and events where the International Water Association will participate while at the UN Water Conference in New York on 22-24 March. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events! Together, we can accelerate change to secure progress on water and sanitation. 

International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on 8 March, highlighting the achievements of women worldwide while also calling for greater gender equality. One critical area where gender disparities are still prevalent is in the access to water and sanitation services, which disproportionately affects women in low- and middle-income countries. In many places, poor sanitation practices place significant barriers on women, making it challenging for them to access basic needs such as water, sanitation, and hygiene.  

Poor sanitation as a barrier for women and girls 

The impact of poor sanitation on women in low- and middle-income countries is multifaceted. In these countries, access to basic sanitation facilities is often limited, with millions of people lacking access to safe and clean toilets. This can have significant health implications for women, including increased rates of urinary tract infections and other diseases. Additionally, inadequate sanitation facilities can also make it difficult for women to manage their menstrual hygiene, which can lead to embarrassment and stigma, as well as increased risk of infection. 

The lack of proper sanitation facilities can also impact women’s safety. In many places, women are forced to use open fields or other outdoor spaces as makeshift toilets, which can leave them vulnerable to sexual harassment, assault, or even animal attacks. This is especially true for women who must venture out alone at night to use the bathroom, putting them in danger. 

Moreover, poor sanitation can also have an economic impact on women. When women must spend a significant amount of time and energy collecting water, searching for a safe place to relieve themselves, or caring for family members who are sick due to poor sanitation, they have less time to devote to income-generating activities, which can perpetuate the cycle of poverty. This lack of these basic necessities can lead to girls missing school and women being unable to work or participate in other daily activities, which has a significant impact on their social and economic empowerment. 

So, what can be done to address these issues?  

First and foremost, there must be greater investment in improving sanitation infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. This includes the construction of safe and clean toilets, as well as the provision of clean water and proper waste management systems. In addition, more needs to be done to address the stigma around menstruation, including promoting the use of affordable and environmentally friendly menstrual hygiene products, such as reusable pads and menstrual cups.

WaterAid India’s brief report ‘Menstrual Hygiene Management: Informed Product Choice and Disposal’ aims to create awareness regarding the menstrual product landscape in India for women and girls to start making an informed choice as per their needs. 

It is also important to engage women themselves in the process of improving sanitation. Women’s voices and experiences should be central to the development of sanitation policies and programmes. This includes working with women to develop innovative and culturally appropriate solutions, as well as involving them in the planning and decision-making processes. 

Finally, we must also work to address the underlying gender inequalities that contribute to poor sanitation outcomes for women. This includes challenging harmful social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence, discrimination, and exclusion, and promoting women’s leadership and empowerment at all levels of society. 

In conclusion, poor sanitation is a significant barrier to the health, safety, and economic well-being of women in low- and middle-income countries. By investing in improved sanitation infrastructure, engaging women in the process of change, and addressing underlying gender inequalities, we can work towards a world where all women have access to the basic sanitation facilities they need to thrive. Doing more to improve sanitation means doing more for a world that is more equitable, diverse and inclusive.

This International Women’s Day, let’s commit to #SanitAction and #EmbraceEquity to ensure that all women have the dignity and respect they deserve. 

Date: Wednesday, 22 March 2023​

Time: 11:00-12:15 EST (Eastern Standard Time)​

Location: UN Headquarters, Side Event Room B​

Registration: Event open only to UN Water Conference registered delegates​

Background

The 2022 Sustainable Development Goals Report exposed some very concerning data about the world’s progression towards SDG6, showing that meeting WASH targets by 2030 will require a fourfold increase in the pace of progress. Metrics about safely managed sanitation are particularly alarming, sending a clear message that current policies and practices are not working, and immediate action must be taken.

There is an urgent need for an accelerated and inclusive approach to expanding safe sanitation service coverage. Multiple technologies are available for achieving this – both sewered or onsite, centralised or decentralised. But mere technology choices do not ensure the end users will benefit as they should. Governments must lead by taking a wider perspective into consideration, including the governance mechanisms, the laws and regulations that clarify the mandate for safe and inclusive services, understanding how authorities and private sector operators can be organized and incentivized, and how individual contributions and needs must be aligned and supported to also ensure that environmental public health goals are being met.

Description of the session

The session on Cross-sectoral partnerships to accelerate progress towards inclusive sanitation will look beyond technology and the usual focus on building infrastructure and discuss how to adopt a holistic approach to create a conducive policy, legal, institutional, and regulatory environment that enables and incentivizes accelerated progress towards safe sanitation services for all. Further, the session will also discuss and highlight the role and importance of science, innovation and development in bridging and shortening this pathway will be highlighted and shared.

Representatives from the public, private, and social sectors will bring to the table their perspectives on how cross-sectoral and intergenerational partnerships can collaborate to support national governments in achieving SDG 6.2 through: (1) developing enforceable policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines that clearly define roles, responsibilities, accountability mechanisms, and resources for planning, execution, and management for inclusive services; (2) building strong institutional arrangements that address equity, safety and sustainability targets; and (3) establishing finance planning and management institutions that are designed to shield these policies and institutions from political and economic instability.

Format of the session

The session will be designed to allow maximum debate among panellists and the audience. Panellists will have a limited amount of time – 3 to 5 minutes each – to make igniting pitches. The remaining time will be used for Q&A and discussions involving the audience. The format of the debate will be defined considering the room layout (if possible, using the world café or fishbowl format, to ensure inclusivity). The final 10 minutes of the session will be used for wrap-up, announcement of IWA’s voluntary commitment to advocate for inclusive sanitation agenda, and presentation of the SanitAction campaign – IWA’s call for collaborative action to reshape the global agenda on urban sanitation over the coming years.

The outcomes of this session will be used by the participants of the Youth4SDG6 fellowship programme as input for a joint IWA/Grundfos publication on the critical need for youth engagement in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Key Partners

• Government of Brazil (National Water and Sanitation Agency) 
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), USA 
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), Germany 
• Grundfos, Denmark 
• African Global Networks, South Africa 
• Water Youth Network, the Netherlands 
• International Secretariat for Water (SIE-ISW), Canada 

Panellists

• Kala Vairavamoorthy, International Water Association, United Kingdom
• Filipe Sampaio, National Water and Sanitation Agency, Brazil
• Brian Arbogast, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USA
• Bisi Agberemi, United Nations Children’s Fund, USA
• Arne Panesar, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), Germany
• Virginia Newton-Lewis, Grundfos, Denmark
• Jennifer Molwantwa, Water Research Commission, South Africa
• Maitreyi Koduganti, Water Youth Network, the Netherlands
• Vladimir Arana, International Secretariat for Water, Canada
• Kelvin Chitumbo, Eastern and Southern Africa Water and Sanitation (ESAWAS) Regulators Association, Zambia

I believe that without doubt we can all agree that 2022 has been an extremely positive year for groundwater for many reasons. This year, UN Water launched a dedicated campaign to raise awareness of groundwater, which is a vital resource providing almost half of all drinking water worldwide. Furthermore, UN Water is hosting the first-ever Summit on Groundwater in Paris on 7-8 December 2022.

Echoing the much-needed focus on this hidden resource, IWA has sought to give more visibility to groundwater throughout the year with dedicated campaigns and initiatives. As part of these efforts, a Groundwater Forum took place at the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Copenhagen in September 2022. The Forum was organised by the Capital Region of Denmark and ATV Soil & Groundwater.

The aim of the Forum was to put the spotlight on groundwater, as sometimes it can be overlooked despite being a precious resource with much hidden potential. In Denmark, 100% of our drinking water comes from groundwater. To us, groundwater is an essential resource, which we work hard to protect. The Groundwater Forum at the Congress provided an excellent opportunity to gather groundwater specialists and authorities to exchange knowledge and present a wider view on the potential of ‘the hidden treasure’.

Around 100 delegates from all over the world participated in the Forum, discussing topics under three headlines, namely: Groundwater Management, Sustainability, and Protection of Groundwater, with nine presenters providing their insights and results from the field. From my point of view, it was extremely fascinating and educating to hear about both the similarities and the differences in managing groundwater in different parts of the world. Even though some of the challenges in Kenya are different to those in the United States, the shared learning will make us more qualified to assure a sustainable use of groundwater in the future, no matter where we are.

All delegates had the opportunity to have their say through the interactive presentation software Mentimeter, which projected real-time results and feedback on the stage screen. Many participants used this chance to give their view on the topics discussed. It was very interesting to see the wide range of reflections from a global  audience throughout the day, highlighting multiple challenges and solutions for groundwater. In my part of the groundwater world – Denmark and the Nordics – I can easily relate to the PFAS issues shared by participants from the United States. But to other delegates the contamination risk from non-existent or poor sanitation is the biggest threat! Both are serious problems calling for collaboration across knowledge fields and countries.

Chair of the IWA Groundwater Management Specialist Group Dr. Stephen Foster has presented the main outcomes and conclusions from the Copenhagen Groundwater Forum and Groundwater Management Workshop in an article on The Source. The article defines a path for IWA to follow from Copenhagen 2022 to Toronto 2024 on groundwater issues. Another useful tool is the Guidebook for Water Utilities & Municipal Authorities on Groundwater Assessment and Management written by Stephen Foster & Radu Gogu.

I highly recommend these readings to those who are interested in keeping the momentum alive as ‘the great year of groundwater’ will soon come to an end. However, our work will not stop here. We hope to use the positive results and international knowledge exchange from the Groundwater Forum in Copenhagen as a way to make groundwater even more visible in the water discussions in the future.

Participants at the Copenhagen Groundwater Forum during the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2022.