From Toilets to Rivers: Experiences, New Opportunities and Innovative Solutions

While issues of sanitation are often looked at in isolation, they are directly tied to issues of water security, health, food security, environmental sustainability, energy and climate change. The case studies illustrate not only the challenges of sanitation and wastewater management, but more importantly, the proven results in: (a) increasing access to sanitation in poor communities through on-site sanitation facilities, low-cost sewerage and decentralized wastewater treatment systems; (b) improving service delivery through policy reforms, application of appropriate technologies, innovative fi nancing mechanisms and contracts, and public-private partnerships; (c) ensuring fi nancial viability and sustainability; and (d) reusing treated wastewater and sludge to augment water supplies for potable and non-potable uses, produce energy, and contribute to food security and greenhouse gas emission reduction.

This compilation of good practices and working models intends to show that sustainable sanitation is possible, and aims to inspire replication, institutionalization of sanitation both in policy and practice, and scaling up of investments. Given the more complex water resource and health challenges encountered in many parts of the world, it is time to engage in a rational analysis of all possible management strategies, learn from others’ experiences, apply innovative approaches, and tap the potential market.