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TRANSCRIPT
A Improving Sanitation through Partnerships
WORLD TOILET SUMMIT 2017
WORLD TOILET SUMMIT 2017
20 – 21 November 2017 Melbourne, Australia
20 – 21 November 2017 Melbourne, Australia
ABSTRACTS
World Toilet Summit 2017: Improving sanitation through partnerships Melbourne, Australia November 2017
Abstract Levering research-industry-government partnerships to improve sanitation in urban informal settlements through a water sensitive cities approach to revitalisation. The conventional ‘big pipes’ approach to sanitation has changed little in 150 years; it relies on large, centralised, energy-intensive infrastructure to provide, capture, treat, and dispose of water and human waste. From health, social, and ecological perspectives, this is failing to meet the challenges of (i) rapid population growth and urbanisation in the developing world, (ii) limited water resources and environmental capacity to assimilate anthropogenic pollution, and (iii) the impacts of climate change. This session will present progress with ambitious five-year Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) program currently being implemented in Fiji and Indonesia. RISE is an interdisciplinary program comprising over 20 academic, industry, NGO and civil society partners. The RISE theory of change is that the water sensitive cities (WSC) approach can interrupt the fecal-oral transmission route, resulting in an improvement in human gastrointestinal health, especially for children under 5 years of age. The water-sensitive approach integrates ecologically and economically sustainable water infrastructure (‘nature-based solutions’) into buildings and landscapes. Decentralised water infrastructure is implemented at dwelling, neighbourhood, and precinct scales to harvest rainwater/stormwater, recycle wastewater, and protect against flooding and environmental pollution. Wastewater is managed locally using natural passive treatment processes such as constructed wetlands and natural filters. Through providing the evidence base, the RISE vision is to scale-up to address the pressing water and sanitation needs of the one billion men and women, boys and girls currently living in urban slums and informal settlements. Lead: Prof. Rebekah Brown, Director, Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI)
THEATRE FOR BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE
Mercy Annapoorani1
1. Blossom Trust, Tamil Nadu, India
.
INTRODUCTION
Sanitation was identified as the most pressing issue in the Virudhunagar district of Tamilnadu, India.
Associated with it were open defecation, hygiene and health concerns, particularly TB infections. In order to
raise awareness, to effect behavioural change, and to stimulate bottom-up action, an innovative community
theatre technique was implemented.
YEAR CASE STUDY WAS IMPLEMENTED
2014 to 2015
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
We used community theatre in Virudhunagar district in order to change behaviours with regard to sanitation,
with a focus on open defecation. The objective was to raise awareness and encourage the community to
come up with solutions and implement them. Outcomes included the immediate construction of temporary
toilets by the villagers themselves, the sensitisation of district leaders, the allocation of funds towards
sanitation, and the construction of toilets in certain villages, slums and in the city of Virudhunagar.
CASE STUDY DETAIL
The specific issue addressed was sanitation in the Virudunagar district of Tamilnadu, India. In the year
2014-2015 open defecation was identified as the most pressing issue because 90% of the people in
Virudhunagar were practicing it.
The approach developed to address this issue was community theatre. EduClowns is an innovative theatre
technique that creates awareness, stimulates critical thinking, and effects behavioral change. Through
theatre taboo social issues were addressed in an interactive manner, easy to understand by the often
illiterate rural audiences. The theatre programme was enacted by groups of eight women and men,
themselves affected by TB and the lack of adequate sanitation facilities. In this manner the affected people
become change-makers and ultimately enact community development.
The EduClowns technique was implemented throughout Virudhunagar district which has 11 blocks, 110
villages and 13 urban slums.
The first activity in devising the EduClowns intervention was a field study conducted by the performers
through frequent visits to the villages, slums and towns where they performed. Along with the pressing issue
of open defecation associated concerns were identified: the lack of toilet facilities, water scarcity, and the
costs associated with constructing and using appropriate toilets.
The second step was the preparation of the story and script by the performers. For the performances to be
engaging, the local language and slang were used, and the characters had names common to each place
where the performances took place.
The third activity were the performances themselves. The performers wearing clown costumes and make-up
went in a procession around the village, town or slum to attract the audience. The performances included folk
dances and songs with messages about sanitation, to which the audience joined in. They lasted 30-45
minutes. The performances have an open-end, no solution being offered by the clowns. A group discussion
follows wherein the clowns encourage the audience to come up with solutions. The Panchayat leaders (a
Panchayat is a block with 5-12 villages) were always present and some of them committed to construct
toilets and obtain funds from the government. The Women Self-Help Groups that Blossom Trust has
established throughout Virudhunagar constructed temporary toilets and played an advocacy role.
With regard to outcomes and measurable impacts, the EduClowns performances reached all people in the
targeted villages and slums because there is no other source of entertainment. Therefore, one performance
reaches between 150-400 people. Outcomes of the performances include the construction of adequate
toilets and temporary toilets.
Permanent toilets were constructed in the Vadamalaikurichi block with the help of the Panchayat leader. The
toilets are maintained by the Women Self-Help Groups. A 2Rs charge is asked for using the toilet and for
covering maintenance costs.
In Virudhunagar Government Hospital toilets have been constructed due to the pression of the district
manager who was sensitised by EduClows. It is maintained by Paneer Poo HIV Women Self-Self Group and
the charge for it is 2Rs for the toilet and 5Rs for a shower.
In 90% of the villages temporary toilets were constructed by Blossom's Self-Help Women Groups. These are
safer for women and closer to the house.
The project is sustainable because the Panchayat Leaders and the Women's Self-Help Groups take
responsibility for solving the issue. The leaders are connected with the district administration and therefore
have the power to allocate special funds for village development. The Women Self-Help Groups take it upon
themselves to construct temporary toilets and maintain the permanent toilets constructed by the district
administration. The EduClowns also turn villagers into advocates, making them aware that it is in their power
to ask the government and district administration to allocate funds for sanitation.
The EduClowns technique is cost-efficient. The costs include the costumes and make-up, the stipend
provided to the performers, and refreshments for the audience.
With regard to lessons learnt, it is effective to involve the media for creating momentum, advertising
progress in toilet construction, and for reaching the district administration. Critical success factors include
giving responsibility to village leaders and women self-help goups for constructing and maintaining toilets.
Figure 1: EduClowns performance
.
FORMATIVE RESEARCH: MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT IN THE PACIFIC
Chelsea Huggett1, Yasmin Mohamed2,3, Kelly Durrant2,3, Donna McSkimming4, Dani Barington5, Alison
Macintyre1, Lisa Natoli2
1. WaterAid, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
2. Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
3. Monash University, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, VIC, Australia
4. International Womens Development Agency Melbourne, VIC, Australia
5. Cranfield University, Cranfield, OAL, United Kingdom
INTRODUCTION
The impact of inadequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) on women’s and girls’ participation in
education and income generation in the Pacific, a sub-region with the world’s lowest water, sanitation and
hygiene (WASH) coverage, is poorly understood. Globally and regionally there is limited research on MHM in
school settings and beyond. In 2016-17 the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
commissioned research in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands (SI) and Fiji, to inform regional MHM
programming. The purpose of the study was to explore the challenges experienced by women and girls in
managing their menstruation, and whether these challenges make it hard for them to equally participate in
school and work and engage with their communities.
HIGHLIGHTS
• We examine barriers to effective MHM and impact on education and income generation
• Menstruation beliefs differ in each setting and are an MHM barrier in PNG and SI
• Poor access to sanitary products and nonfunctional WASH facilities are MHM barriers
• MHM solutions must address urban and rural disparities and be disability-inclusive
METHODOLOGY
A multi-country mixed-methods study was undertaken in rural and urban sites in PNG, Solomon Islands and
Fiji, to examine barriers to women’s and girls’ effective MHM and impacts on their participation in education
and income generation. 293 women, men and adolescent girls, including women working in informal
economies and women with disabilities, participated in focus group discussions and interviews. Structured
observations of WASH facilities were undertaken in schools and workplaces alongside an analysis of the
availability, cost and quality of sanitary products.
RESULTS
As an upper-middle income country, Fiji has made greater progress in addressing MHM. Women working in
informal economies (such as market vendors) in rural and urban areas in all three countries faced the
greatest challenges managing MHM due to lack of access and affordability of quality sanitary products, the
poor functionality of WASH facilities and associated user fees. MHM challenges were compounded for those
living in rural and remote areas and for those with a disability, and were related to accessibility/affordability of
quality sanitary products, adequate information and functional WASH facilities.
Menstruation-related beliefs differ across the three settings and are perceived to be a barrier to effective
MHM, particularly in PNG and SI. Common beliefs and attitudes around menstruation being “dirty” create
stigma for menstruating women and girls, making it more difficult to manage menstruation, contributing to
unwanted behavioural restrictions, and negatively impacting on emotional well being. In SI and PNG,
traditional beliefs and the high level of secrecy attached to menstruation result in a number of secretive (and
sometimes unhygienic) practices related to washing, drying and disposal of used absorbent materials and
personal hygiene.
In SI and PNG, WASH facilities in schools and workplaces (particularly informal work settings such as
markets) are commonly inadequate to meet the needs of menstruating girls and women. Challenges include
non-functioning toilets and showers, unclean and poorly maintained facilities lacking in privacy, lack of toilet
paper, lack of safe disposal options for used sanitary items, and a lack of soap and water for handwashing
and personal hygiene. Inadequate WASH facilities contribute to unhygienic practices (such as improper
disposal of soiled materials) or extended (uncomfortable) delays in changing materials. When WASH
facilities are inadequate, some girls and women return home to change soiled materials- contributing to
absenteeism from school and work.
In comparison, in Fiji WASH facilities in schools, work and public places are generally of a higher standard-
yet often lack soap for handwashing, toilet paper or safe and discrete disposal options for sanitary materials.
Those living in rural areas may experience challenges in accessing a regular water supply for bathing. These
challenges contribute to absenteeism from school and work. Across all countries, most adolescent girls
aspired to use disposable sanitary products.
A wide range of reputable sanitary products (such as Stayfree, Kotex and Libra) are available in Suva and
Port Moresby; but in rural areas only the cheaper, poor quality brands were being sold. In both countries,
products were generally considered to be affordable for those with an income. In SI however, reputable
sanitary products are prohibitively priced and much less available; most of the commercially available
sanitary products (in both urban and rural areas) are of poor quality (such as Softex), many come from China
and a number were suspected to be counterfeit.
CONCLUSION
This study informs approaches to improving MHM in the Pacific. It highlights the need for MHM solutions to
address disparities between urban and rural populations, among women and girls working in informal
settings and those experiencing disability. The preference by some women and most girls to use disposable
products, despite widespread affordability and quality issues in rural and some urban areas, and a lack of
effective, at-scale solid waste management systems makes the issue of product a critical one. Meanwhile
cultural beliefs that menstrual blood is ‘dirty’ remain a barrier to effective MHM for many women and girls.
Inadequate MHM in SI, PNG and Fiji will remain a barrier to gender equality in each country without context-
appropriate, cross-sectoral collaboration that addresses areas of unmet need and focusses attention on the
most marginalised. Most importantly, the research findings call for women and girls to be at the centre of all
solutions.
Figures and Tables
Challenges
Impacts of poor MHM Opportunities
Figure 1: Summary of findings across three countries
Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about menstruation
• Limited knowledge (with generational gaps)- particularly in relation to understanding fertility and charting the cycle from month to month
• Teachers lack confidence & resources to effectively teach about menstruation
• Information needs of women & girls with disabilities overlooked
• Secrecy, especially between brothers and sisters in SI
• Beliefs about menstrual blood being “dirty” and “unhealthy”
• Food related beliefs (protein)
• Teasing
• Concerns about analgesia (SI)
• Concerns/myths about tampons
↓ access to WASH and safe, discrete disposal of used absorbent materials
• Toilets not useable
• Lack of water for toilets, handwashing & bathing
• Lack of privacy
• No disposal options / unsafe disposal practices
• Access challenges for girls and women with disabilities
• Unique challenges- public/market settings (user fees, access)
↓ access to effective materials to manage
menstruation
• Reputable (commercial) products unaffordable for many (especially in SI)
• Poor quality (commercial) pads most affordable, fakes (SI)
• Supply challenges (SI)
• ↓availability in rural areas
• Home-made solutions may be less effective
Impact on participation: school, work and broader community
• Attitudes & beliefs may contribute to unwanted behavioural restrictions (e.g swimming, going to church or temple)
• Needing to go home to change materials or stay at home when school/work facilities inadequate
• Undesirable behavioural restrictions
• Fear of leakage, feelings of distraction and preference not to participate while menstruating
Environmental impact
• Unsafe disposal
Negative emotional impact
• Scared/frightened if not prepared for menarche
• Shame, embarrassment, loss of dignity (leakage, teasing, when disposal facilities unavailable or not discrete)
• Feeling excluded (e.g. playing with friends, participation at church or religious festivals)
• Secretive (& sometimes unhygienic) practices related to washing, drying and disposal of used absorbent materials and personal hygiene.
• Discomfort when materials cannot be changed for extended periods of time
Negative health impact
• Food restrictions
• Skin rash and irritation
Education/information
• Sex-segregated, comprehensive education for girls & boys, beginning in primary school.
• Community education for adult women and men
• Addressing stigmatising beliefs/attitudes where they exist.
• Accessible: girls/women with disabilities
Water & sanitation facilities
• Improved, usable, single-sex, accessible toilets
• Private/lockable
• Water and soap
• Clean, accessible with anal cleansing materials
• Facilities for safe disposal of used materials
Absorbent materials
• ↑availability, affordability, and access to quality commercial products & locally made alternatives, especially in rural areas
• Emergency access in school and workplaces
• Social marketing of tampons if appropriate (Fiji)
Table 1: Data collection sites
Country Site 1 (urban) Site 2 (rural)
Solomon Islands Guadalcanal Malaita
Fiji Viti Levu/central Vanua Lavu/north
Papua New Guinea Port Moresby Autonomous Region of Bougainville
Table 2: Summary of data collection methods and participant groups (by country)
Methods # FGD, IDI, KII
etc
Country Participant details Total
# Participants
Age (years)
Sex (f/m)
FGD girls in school 2 2 2
Fiji SI
PNG
13 20 21
16 – 19 18 – 21 13 – 26
f
55
FGD girls not in school 2 2 2
Fiji SI
PNG
15 15 13
18 – 20 13 – 20 16 - 29
F 43
FGD women (formal workplace)
2 2 2
Fiji SI
PNG
20 23 17
23 – 52 20 – 53 24 - 43
F 60
FGD women (informal employment)
3 2 2
Fiji SI
PNG
20 15 23
22 – 61 24 – 50 19 - 60
F 58
FGD men 2 2 2
Fiji SI
PNG
15 14 21
25 – 68 23 – 47 25 - 70
M 50
IDI (vulnerable girls/women) 2 3 3
Fiji SI
PNG
2 3 3
31- 35 n/a n/a
F 8
KII vendor 2 2 2
Fiji SI
PNG
2 2 2
n/a n/a n/a
F 6
KII employer 2 2 2
Fiji SI
PNG
2 2 2
n/a n/a n/a
F 6
KII teacher 2 2 4
Fiji SI
PNG
2 2 4
n/a n/a n/a
f 1f/1m
f
8
KII health worker 2 2 2
Fiji SI
PNG
2 2 2
n/a n/a n/a
1f/1m 1f/1m 1f/1m
6
KII leader 2 3 3
Fiji SI
PNG
2 3 3
n/a & 58 n/a n/a
m m
1f/2m
8
Total participants 308
Observations of WASH facilities
3 3 4
Fiji SI
PNG
10
Documentation of availability and cost of sanitary products
22 38 11
Fiji SI
PNG
71
SYDNEY WATER’S ‘KEEP WIPES OUT OF PIPES’ CAMPAIGN ACHIEVES GLOBAL SUCCESS
Peter Hadfield 1
1. Sydney Water, Sydney, NSW, Australia
INTRODUCTION
In mid-2014 Sydney Water, Australia’s largest water and wastewater utility, witnessed an increasing trend in
faults at its sewage pumping stations. The cause of these faults was largely contributed to by customers
flushing wet wipes.
Sydney Water has created a multi award winning public relations program ‘Keep wipes out of pipes” to educate
consumers of the problems created by flushing wet wipes, and to bring about change in the wet wipes industry.
The ‘Keep wipes out of pipes’ campaign has won the Asia Pacific Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) PR
Campaign of the Year, the Australian water Association’s Projram Innovation Award and the Mumbrella PR
Campaign of the Year in both CSR and Government categories
YEAR CASE STUDY WAS IMPLEMENTED
2014 to 2017
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
Sydney Water implemented an education campaign, with a minimal public relations and advertising budget to
create change in consumer behaviour and to bring into question the use of the term ‘flushable’ by the suppliers
of wet wipes in Australia and globally.
The campaign has brought about significant behavioural changes in our customers and has generated an
ACCC Federal Court action against wet wipes manufacturers. The ‘Keep wipes out of pipes’ campaign has
been adopted by over 300 organisations from 23 countries.
CASE STUDY DETAIL
The specific issue.
In mid-2014 there was an increasing trend in faults at Sydnrey Water sewage pumping stations, contributed
to largely by our customers flushing wet wipes.
In two years Sydney Water removed over one million kilograms of wet wipes from our wastewater network at an annual cost of over $AU8 million. (Fig. 1) Wet wipes blockages were also contributing to environmental problems by creating overflows into creeks and waterways. (Fig. 2)
The Approach The aim was to create an effective education campaign with maximum reach and influence. To do so, with a minimal budget for public relations and advertising, it was important to proactively engage key stakeholders to maximise results.
Summary of activities and their implementation. Sydney Water commissioned research to understand the reasons for the use of wet wipes, the drivers of flushing and which demographic segments were using and flushing wipes. (Fig 3)
We did our own laboratory testing to compare the flushability results being promoted by the flushable wipes manufacturers of 3 hours for their flushable wipes to break down. We stopped the test in our labs at 21 hours and the ‘flushable’ wipes were still in pristine condition. These results were confirmed in independent tests undertaken by CHOICE. (Fig. 4) Some of the flushable wipes manufacturers were also claiming on their packaging that flushable wipes break down in the same manner as toilet paper. With the insight of our testing and research, we launched the ‘Keep wipes out of the Pipes’ program in mid-2015. We proactively formed an alliance with Australian consumer advocate group CHOICE, the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC), the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), the International Water Association (IWA), Sydney Water staff, plumbers, school groups and public forums. We also engaged directly with a major Australian wipes manufacturer and continue to work on collaborative solutions to this problem. We had three key messages which we constantly repeated across the campaign: – Keep wipes out of the pipes – Bin them don’t flush them – Remember the three Ps, the only things that should be flushed down the toilet are Pee, Poo and (toilet) Paper
Outcomes and measurable impacts The ‘keep wipes out of the pipes’ campaign achieved the following results:
The ACCC has instigated Federal Court action against two major Australian wet wipes suppliers.
The ‘Keep wipes out of pipes’ campaign has been adopted by over 300 organisations from 23 countries. (Fig. 5)
A traditional media audience of over 20 million in TV, radio and hard copy print.
Over 1 million social media posts where many customers engaged directly with wipes manufacturers to change their flushable products.
Sydney Water Plant Managers are reporting a reduced amount of wipes being screened and removed from our treatment plants.
Consumer sentiment surveys undertaken by Sydney Water have shown a 50% reduction in people who think it’s OK to flush wipes.
QBE Insurance, one of Australia’s largest general insurers and Meriton, one of Australia’s largest property developers and residential property managers have both used our ‘keep wipes out of wipes’ materials and messaging to educate and influence their customers.
The extent to which the outcomes are sustainable and were achieved in a cost efficient manner.
With a minimal budget, the campaign is running into its third year and continues to influence outcomes.
Supermarket chain Aldi recently withdrew ‘flushable’ cleaning wipes from its shelves nationally.
Important lessons learnt and critical success factors. Although this was an $8 million per year problem for Sydney Water our campaign focused on the problems that flushing wet wipes had on customer’s sewer pipes, and the costs that they would bear as private citizens, to repair their sewer pipes, on their property. (Fig. 6) This focus generated significant uptake of the campaign. Advice for future campaigns
Know exactly what the problem is through detailed research – what you think may not be what your
customers are thinking
Have a clear objective
Engage with external stakeholders who can augment the campaign – always look for ways to amplify
the message.
Keep evaluating your progress and modify your actions to continually improve the campaign and the
outcomes. Be nimble and agile and react quickly react to any changes in mood.
Keep looking for hooks which can generate more traction
Figure 1: Wet wipes being removed at Sydney Water’s Shellharbour Pumping Station
Figure 2: A blockage caused by wet wipes was responsible for this overflow at a creek in Sydney
Figure 3: Infographic of research results.
Figure 4: Lab testing of the flushability of ‘flushable’ wipes compared to toilet paper.
Figure 5: International water industry position statement
Figure 6: Facebook screen grab from a customer with a $16,000 plumbers bill caused by wet wipes
PROVIDING SANITATION AND HYGIENE SERVICES IN NORTHERN SYRIA
Eyasu Gebeto 1, Hussein Araban 2, Eyad Ahmad 2
1. World Vision International, Melbourne, Australia
World Vision Turkey, Gaziantep, Turkey
YEAR CASE STUDY WAS IMPLEMENTED
2016 to 2017
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
Currently there are more than 6.3 million Internally Displaced People (IDP), including 2.6 million children in
Syria. Humanitarian needs in Northern Syria which hosts the largest number of IDPs in the country remain the
most acute. World Vision has been working in five camps in Aza’z province providing comprehensive
sanitation, hygiene and water supply service support. The main objective of the project is to improve access
and hygienic use of toilets, handwashing and safe drinking water. This was achieved through activities such
as WASH centre construction, rehabilitation of existing sewage system, construction/extension of new sewage
lines and flood control in five camps for more than 43,000 people.
CASE STUDY DETAIL
Maximum of 700 words providing an overview of the activity addressing the points below.
The specific issue being addressed.
Since 2011, the conflict in Syria has resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis causing the death and
displacement of more 50% of the population. In Northern Syria, World Vision has been working in 5 internally
displaced people (IDP) camps. IDP populations place an additional burden on stretched and deteriorating
sewerage, sanitation and water infrastructure. In Aza’z town the failing sanitation, sewerage and drainage
infrastructure has resulted in a dire situation for both the host communities and the displaced communities,
with an ever-present threat of disease. IDP communities are especially vulnerable to water related public health
risks resulting from their limited resources, poor sanitation access and severe overcrowding.
Sanitation and hygiene service provision in these fragile contexts remains a challenge given the obvious
security restrictions, complex operational conditions and disruption of public services. Despite the challenges
providing essential services to these vulnerable communities is critical.
Approach developed to address this issue.
In consultation with community representatives and considering the fragility of the context World Vision
developed a comprehensive WASH approach to support both the IDPs and host communities.
The approach incorporated (i) infrastructural extension and renewal for sewer pipelines, community sanitation
services, water supply and drainage management, (ii) community training, employment and upskilling
tradespeople; and (iii) significant sanitation, hygiene and behaviour change programming within both host and
IDP communities.
Summary of activities and their implementation.
Infrastructure rehabilitation and construction activities:
The project constructed community sanitation services – toilets and showers (Figure 1), along with
rehabilitating sewer lines (figures 2+3), water supply pipes and drainage systems (Figure 4).
Community consultation, along the with SPHERE standards, informed the design and construction of
communal sanitation blocks with toilets and showers. Each cubicle is designed to serve a maximum of 20
beneficiaries. While this fails to meet the JMP’s definition of improved sanitation services it represents a
significant improvement in ratio of cubicles to users.
These communal blocks were connected to extensions in the sewer network, with other sections of the sewer
line rehabilitated to minimise the risk of sewer overflows – especially during period of intense rainfall.
Understanding the connections between sewer failure and stormwater – the project constructed new, or
rehabilitated, stormwater drainage infrastructure in the IDP camps.
Community training, employment and upskilling local tradespeople:
Because of the extensive community engagement throughout the project, there were formalised WASH groups
who are eager to receive operation and management training so that at the completion of the construction the
facilities can be handed over to the beneficiaries for the maintenance, management and operation.
Syrian contractors and labourers were hired for the construction work, with the construction activities
supervised and additional skills provided to the locally contracted business. This approach ensured that the
project also made a financial and skills contribution to the host/IDP communities.
Behaviour Change Activities: As well as the infrastructure components the project worked within the community
for improved hygiene behaviours amongst children and their families.
Summary of outcomes and measurable impacts of the activities.
The direct impacts of the project are: reducing incidence of sewer system failure and sewer overflows,
decreased risk of contaminated stormwater remaining in the IDP camps causing a health risk, and reduced
suffering and nuisance resulting from local inundation. Secondary benefits of the project included minimising
disruption to daily activities of life such as access to markets and other community services such as schools
and health centres as road were flooded less often.
Other indirect impacts of the project are: creating job opportunities for the skilled labour force; increasing local
economy through investing finances into the community; and, reducing the disease burden on the families and
therefore health services.
Important lessons learnt and critical success factors.
1. Prepare emergency response plans including transit camps for accommodating any new arrivals until
establishing permanent camps with strong infrastructure conditions.
2. Develop an overarching strategy, based on comprehensive needs assessment and situation analysis
(including risk analysis and conflict analysis) aimed at strengthening the coherence and consistency
of the overall response;
3. Optimise the selection and management of implementing partners in such complex and volatile
situations to minimise disruption.
Figure 1: WASH center design
Figure 3: Installation of sewer pipes
Figure 2: Excavation works in Bab Alsalam camp for installing sewer pipes
Figure 4: Stormwater drainage pits
INTEGRATED TOILET AND ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES EMPLOYING PV-POWERED BIOCHEMICAL AND ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTOR
SYSTEMS: TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGIES DESIGNED FOR USE IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD AND FOR DISASTER RELIEF
Michael R. Hoffmann*1, Clement Cid1, Yang Yang1, Kai Liu1, and Cody Finke1
1. Division of Engineering & Applied Science, Linde-Robinson Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd, Pasadena, California 91125 EM: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
In February 2011, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) announced a major challenge to university
researchers to “Reinvent the Toilet.” The primary goal of the BMGF was to engage universities in the
development of new and innovative methods to treat human bodily wastes at the site of origin without
discharge to the ambient environment or discharge to conventional sewer systems, septic tanks, cesspools,
or open drainage systems. The overarching goal of the BMGF Global Development Program within the
context of their Water, Hygiene and Sanitation initiative that practical low-cost solutions could be developed
and implemented in regions of the world that lack access to safe and affordable sanitation. The primary
challenge was to develop a comprehensive approach to design, development, testing, and prototyping of
systems that could collect and process human waste on-site at the source of origin and at the same time
produce useful byproducts including fertilizer, mineral salts, energy, purified and disinfected water with no
solid of liquid discharge to the environment. The overarching goal is to provide suitable sanitary systems for
the 2.6 billion people who currently lack access to safe and affordable sanitation.
Specific goals of the RTTC in terms of the self-cleaning toilet included the following:
• Sustained operation without any input of wired-in electricity from electrical grids
• Scalability down to a single residence scale without loss of developing world practicality
• Conversion of recovered water into potable-grade water
• Product water should be free of color, odor, taste, and microorganisms
• Recovery, sterilization, and packaging of minerals and urea for use as fertilizers
• Energy for operation of the treatment systems should come from combustion of feces
• Production of HOCl and -OCl for general-purpose sterilization
• Operational units should be robust with the use of smart control systems and wireless connectivity to
a central maintenance and support location.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Integrated reactor systems are used for the onsite treatment of domestic wastewater
• Toilet wastewater is processed via sequential anaerobic and aerobic bioreactors
• Bioreactor effluent is oxidized electrochemically with in situ HOCl generation
• Denitrification is achieved via breakpoint chlorination
• COD and microbial loadings are reduced to below US EPA reuse standards
METHODOLOGY/ PROCESS
After biological pre-treatment in a sequential anaerobic/aerobic baffled bioreactor, the partially treated
effluent is processed sequentially through semiconductor electrochemical arrays where the COD and
microbial loads are reduced to below US EPA reuse standards. Smaller-scale reactors are used to convert
the treated wastewater into handwashing water and to potable water. The treated black water is recycled
into a flush water reservoirs without discharge to the surrounding environment.
RESULTS/ OUTCOMES
Human wastewater can be clarified with the elimination of suspended particles along with >95% reduction in
chemical oxygen demand (COD), and a total elimination of fecal coliforms, E. coli, viruses, and total
coliforms. Enteric organism disinfection is achieved for bacteria and viruses via anodic reactive chlorine
generation from in situ chloride coupled with cathodic reduction of water to form hydrogen. Improvement of
the performance and durability of the core semiconductor anodes along with materials modifications to lower
their production costs ongoing. Third-generation prototypes are undergoing field-testing in locations that lack
conventional urban infrastructure for wastewater discharge and treatment; the packaged treatment systems
can operate without an external source of electricity or fresh water. Full-scale manufacturing and extensive
field-testing in China is uricnderway. Two Caltech-China joint-venture companies, Eco-San and Entrustech,
have been established in Yixing, China to manufacture solar-powered units for the developing world and the
associated biochemical and electrochemical reactor systems. At the same time additional industrial
collaborations have been established in India with ERAM Scientific Solutions and with the Kohler Company
(USA/India) for production of electronic toilets with built-in waste treatment units to be used in urban and
peri-urban environments in India. Larger-scale combined toilet and wastewater treatment units have been
built for use at school sites in South Africa. The initial units were shipped in the summer of 2017 for testing
initially in Durbin, SA and then later for use at elementary schools in the rural regions of the East Cape
District. Self-contained toilet and wastewater treatment system prototypes based on electrochemical
oxidation of feces and urine were designed, constructed, implemented and performance tested in regions
where access to sanitation is limited. Integrated designs were installed in shipping containers to service an
average of 25 daily users per day (∼ 130 L/day of wastewater). The specific designs were optimized to
minimize the footprints of the test prototype units and to provide off-grid operational capability. In addition,
our designs were intended to maximize the flexibility of the field installation and the security of the users. A
first-generation prototype was constructed and tested on the Caltech campus. After optimization based on
campus testing additional prototypes were constructed and installed in several locations in India and China
in public testing environments (parks, schools, and universities).
CONCLUSION
Advanced prototype systems have been designed and built to able to handle with wastewater produced by
600 users per day in a facility installed in a recreational forest park located in Yixing, China. A new facility
that is designed to handle the wastewater generated by 2000 users per day is currently under construction.
Single family systems and systems for use on trains are being developed.
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the PV-powered solar toilet system; elevation view and configuration.
Figure 2. Actual installation of a PV-powered solar toilet system as installed and tested at an elementary
school serving 600 students in Yixing, China
Figure 3. COD input and output data for the month of April to May for the PV-powered Eco-San/Caltech
solar toilet at the elementary school depicted in Figure 2.
Figure 4. Overview of the key electrochemical reactions taking place between the semiconductor anodes
and metal cathodes.
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COD(mg/L) 2016.4.11 - 5.11
Recycling Water After ECR Clarification Tank After Pretreatment Before Pretreatment
COD(m
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Titaniumplate
IrTaOx layers
TiO2
StainlessSteel
>Ti- - - ˙OH
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>Ti- - - ˙OH
HCO3-/CO3
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(4)
ClO-
2OH- +Cl-
Anode Cathode
e-
e-
e-
3mmdistance
Figure 5. Combined toilet facility and wastewater treatment facility designed to handle the waste of 600
users per day. The bioreactor system is located behind the facilty as shown. The electrochemical reactor
system and process controller is also shown.
Figure 6. Eco-San/Caltech combined toilet compartments and built-in wastewater treatment units for use at
elementary schools in remote locations of the East Cape District of South Africa. Four units are being
shipped to Durban, South Africa for installation in the later part of 2017.
SMALL-SCALE WASTEWATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR HIGH GROUNDWATER AND FLOOD PRONE ENVIRONMENT
Piseth Kim 1, Heidi Michael 1, Andrew Koolhof 1, Katrina Bukauskas 1, Matt King 2
1. Engineers Without Borders Australia, North Melbourne, VIC, Australia
2. Engineers Without Borders New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
INTRODUCTION
Engineers Without Borders Australia and New Zealand (EWB) have been working with counterparts in
Cambodia since 2010 to identify, develop and commercialise sanitation technologies for use by people who
live in challenging environments. These include communities affected by seasonal flooding, high ground water,
coastal or floating conditions. Whilst millions of people worldwide (predominately in South East Asia and
Pacific) are affected by these conditions, there are very few technical solutions that are socially acceptable
and affordable.
In 2014 aligning with the Cambodian government target for having 100% coverage of sanitation by 2025, EWB
started their Sanitation in Challenging Environments (SCE) project in Cambodia, taking a sector wide approach
to improve knowledge and action around sanitation for communities affected by their challenging environment.
This initiative brings together local and international non-government organisations and government officials
to focus on this important issue, which affects the lives of the most marginalised and impoverished
communities. With increased focus and awareness on SCE, the results include improved local standards,
specific government targets, increased technical innovations, and additional focused funding.
Through collaborative partnerships and targeted funding support, EWB has been working to expand, test and
monitor the technology options available for communities living in challenging environments. The technologies
mentioned in this article are at various stages of development and commercialisation. Each demonstrates
innovative and novel approaches to a largely under-resourced issue.
HIGHLIGHTS
Proven success combining sanitation and energy production via bio-digester
Innovation of the 3-Chamber pit-latrine for improved environmental sanitation
Determining opportunities to support improved sanitation system in island communities
METHODOLOGY – TECHNOLOGY TRIALS FOR SCE
ATEC* biodigester
Standard biodigesters in Cambodia are constructed out of bricks and mortar and buried partially below ground
level, meaning they are not suitable to flood-prone areas as they are easily inundated. Brick and mortar
systems are also susceptible to cracking in areas with high groundwater or unstable soils. The ATEC*
biodigester is a manufactured solution which addresses these issues; the initial design has been developed
for animal manure (with toilet connections now being trialled), can be placed in locations with seasonal flooding.
Together with ATEC* and local community partner Khmer Community Development (KCD), EWB has been
trialling the pre-fabricated ATEC* biodigester as a combined environmental sanitation and energy production
technology for severely flood affected communities in Cambodia. The biodigester treats the household toilet
waste, provides renewable energy in the form of bio-gas for cooking, and produces nutrient rich fertiliser that
is easy to handle.
3 Chambers (3C) Pit Latrine
The 3C pit is a simple adaptation to a standard concrete-ring latrine pit that uses three chambers spreading
across the four quadrants of the pit to improve effluent quality and reduce potential contamination of elevated
water tables or areas that experience minor seasonal flooding. The 3C pit has been designed to be easily
scalable and use locally available materials and construction techniques, while not costing significantly more
than a standard latrine pit. The 3C pit costs US$40 more than a standard concrete-ring pit latrine. Compared
to a standard latrine pit the 3C pit also elevates the effluent leach point, increasing the vertical separation
between the exit point and groundwater table by 0.5m. The 3C pit, will be integrated into the new iDE sky
latrine, designed for flood-affected households to be able to retrofit into their elevated houses.
RESULTS/OUTCOMES
ATEC* Biodigester
The ATEC* biodigester have been trialled in five households by connecting with toilets in Prek Chrey village,
Kandal province, Cambodia where seasonal flooding and high groundwater exist. The first round sample
testing was conducted and the second one is being conducted, and these results will help prove and verify the
potential improved sanitation in these challenging areas with environmental friendly energy production. The
feedback during the first round of sampling from the five households demonstrates communities are satisfied
with the amount of gas produced for cooking for the family with less smoke and more savings (time and
money), compared to wood fires. The slurry is produced and used for fertilizer. However, results suggest
further improvements are required – where human faeces were found floating at the inlet point of the
biodigester. Future designs will include a cover over the area to remove this issue.
3C Pit Latrine
The 3C pit latrine design has been prototyped successfully, and rolled out the trialling installation with iDE
Cambodia in Prey Veng province of Cambodia where ten households live in high groundwater and low flood
area. The continuing monitoring of the latrine pit with sample collection testing inside and outside the pit are
being conducted to prove this innovation of the standard latrine concrete ring.
CONCLUSION
Each of these technologies has been trialled with partner organisations and communities across Cambodia
along riverbeds and on urban fringes to ensure designs are appropriate to their needs. These technologies will
have an opportunity to be adapted for use in island communities where there are multiple, similar challenging
aspects in communities. The health benefits of these improved sanitation technologies have both physical and
mental impacts. With less monetary and emotional expenditure on health, communities will have more time for
productive and empowered lives.
Figure 1: Computer model of the ATEC* Biodigester
Figure 2: 3C pit latrine Computer Model Visualisation
Figure 3: Proportion of Pacific island countries population using an improved, shared or other unimproved
sanitation facility or practising open defecation, 2015 (UNICEF and WHO)
WASH LOAN: CHANGING THE LIVES OF POOR CLIENTS
Rolando B. Victoria 1,
Erwin S. Embuscado 2,
Mary Grace B. Pena 3
1. Water.org, Kansas, USA
2. ASKI Foundation, Cabanatuan City, Philippines
3. Alalay Sa Kaunlaran, (ASKI) Inc, Cabanatuan City, Philippines
YEAR CASE STUDY WAS IMPLEMENTED
2015 to 2017
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
ASKI in partnership with Water.org developed water and sanitation products and services that can help solve the enormous problem on the lack of access to safe water and proper sanitation in the Philippines. ASKI offers WASH loans to poor or low-income households so they can pay for water connection fees, build water facilities, or build and improve their own toilets.
ASKI and Water.org goal is to reach 10,000 households getting WASH loans.
Now, there are 5,791 WASH loans disbursed amounting to Php. 76.9M loan portfolio; benefiting 26,060 household members with access to safe water and proper sanitation.
CASE STUDY DETAIL
Poor sanitation remains a perennial problem in the Philippines as 26 Million Filipinos, roughly 30% of the total population, still have no access to clean toilets and other sanitation facilities. Those without water connections in the rural communities usually access water from wells, springs, rain water, river and/or from small scale informal providers. The absence on access to clean water and sanitation facilities dangerously expose the people to various diseases. Based on the list of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Waterless Municipalities, there were areas identified in Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Viscaya where ASKI is operating and other areas that are without access to clean water and proper sanitation. Moreover, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization, said around 7.4 million of Filipinos still defecate behind bushes, on fields, into plastic bags, along ditches or highway tracks. The longer these people are unable to use proper toilet facilities and other waste disposal systems, the longer they get exposed to problems borne out of poor sanitation. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) loan was developed. Microloans for water and sanitation is provided as solution to the enormous problem on the lack of access to safe water and proper sanitation. WASH loan is offered to poor or low-income households so they can pay for water connection fees, buy water filters, build water facilities, build and improve their own toilets. Data on WASH situation were collected from the offices of local government unit at provincial and municipal level. A WASH profile of each municipalities is presented and analyzed to identify priority communities where WASH loan shall be implemented. Top 3 priority communities in each municipalities with high rate of problem on water and sanitation is chosen for health and hygiene education.
The education campaign on health and proper hygiene gives information and awareness to the clients and their respective communities the importance of having safe water, proper sanitation and good hygiene. It brings awareness to clients that WASH is top-most priority for their families. Local masons and foremen are trained on basic construction and technical standards on water and toilet construction. They are informed that there are millions of wrong septic tanks that might cause contamination in water and can cause diseases. The training educates them that future construction of toilet must follow the technical standards to avoid such situation. Families in need of water and sanitation solutions are provided with microloans. Loan requirements are simplified, loan terms and conditions is designed appropriate to the need and capacity of the clients. As of May 2017, 5,791 WASH loans were disbursed amounting to Php. 76.9M loan portfolio; benefiting 26,060 household members with access to safe water and proper sanitation. 13,626 people in remote communities were given WASH education and 183 local masons and foremen were trained on the standard construction of WASH facilities. WASH loan is a demand-driven, profitable and sustainable loan product beyond business loans. This enable us to gain competitive advantage, expand our client base and enhance our existing client retention rate. Through WASH loan we create transformative social impact in the lives of our poor clients.
Figure 1. Number of WASH Loan Releases Figure 2. Amount of WASH Loan Releases
1506
2990
1151
0
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2000
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3500
2015 2016 2017
23,597,906.38
30,946,234.07
20,536,500.00
-
5,000,000.00
10,000,000.00
15,000,000.00
20,000,000.00
25,000,000.00
30,000,000.00
35,000,000.00
2015 2016 2017
Figure 3. Number of Beneficiaries
Figure 4. WASH Loan Options
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1348
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96 134
Borehole well with pump Household water connection Sanitation renovation
Septic tank desludging Toilet with septic tank Water distribution
Water and sanitation Water Filter Water infrastructure extension
Water renovation
THE SATO PAN: EXPERIENCES FROM CAMBODIA
Lachlan Guthrie 1,2, Richard Hocking 3, Pheng Kea 2, Soy Pheary 2, Pheng Vengkim 2, James Metcalfe 1,2
1. Engineers Without Borders Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
2. RainWater Cambodia, Phnom Pehn, Cambodia
3. Malteser International, Siem Reap, Cambodia
INTRODUCTION
The SaTo pan is a revolutionary water saving toilet pan manufactured in Bangladesh and exported to multiple countries around the world. The pan works with a trap door mechanism which drops the waste into a pit or through a pipe going into the pit. This trapdoor uses considerably less water than a conventional toilet which requires a large amount of water to be flushed with the waste. This becomes a major problem in water scarce areas. Cambodia is a country with very distinct dry and wet seasons; six months of the year there is torrential rain where much of the country floods followed by six months there is very little rain. During these dry times water becomes very scarce and expensive for people living in the provinces to purchase. For these reasons the SaTo pan is seen as an ideal toilet alternative to conventional toilets. In 2017 Malteser International implemented a pilot project providing a small number of houses with toilets and rainwater harvesting infrastructure. During the planning of this project it became apparent that while rainwater harvesting was also provided, the toilet would actually be a considerable burden on the households in regards to finding or buying the water to for flushing. After a desktop study Malteser found the SaTo pan and decided to implement this type of pan to lessen the burden to the households. The pans have been shown to save significant amounts of water and are relatively easy to maintain making this project a resounding success. Scale-up projects are being planned by a number of NGOs and the government throughout Cambodia, which are to be implemented soon. These NGOs and government departments are working together to ensure the alignment of monitoring and evaluation frameworks. YEAR CASE STUDY WAS IMPLEMENTED
2016 to 2017
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
The objective of this project was to trial the SaTo pan in Cambodia to ensure that the technology works and that the households are accepting of the change from the more conventional ceramic pan. Malteser International installed SaTo pans as part of toilets that built for vulnerable households in the Siem Reap province. Six months after the installation RainWater Cambodia (RWC) visited the households to understand the sustainability and suitability of the pans through a mixture of quantitative and qualitative measures. RWC has found that the community strongly supports the SaTo pans as they save a lot of water. RWC also uncovered several barriers to uptake but RWC believes that SaTo pan projects could be successfully implemented if these barriers are appropriately addressed. CASE STUDY DETAIL
Malteser international received funding for a WASH infrastructure project, gifting vulnerable households rainwater harvesting systems and latrines, in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. After considering the amount of water that toilets use, Malteser International decided that the increased water collection to flush the toilets might be a burden that the vulnerable families could not tolerate. Therefore, Malteser International began looking for water saving toilet options, eventually implementing the SaTo pan. This pilot project was intended to assess the technical viability of the SaTo pan technology and for those reasons vulnerable households were gifted the latrines (with SaTo pans) and rainwater harvesting systems. It is normally not considered best practice in development to gift infrastructure to communities, however this was purely to test the whether the technology would be acceptable to communities. Scale up projects are currently underway to test funding, sanitation marketing methods, and willingness to pay.
When RWC visited the households in June 2017 were able to interview the heads of household and discover the impact that the SaTo pan has had to these families. RWC interviewed two households belonging to Mrs. Sean Yoeun and Mrs. Be Beat. Mrs. Sean Yoeun is 58 year old and is the head of a family of four, one of which has a severe disability, in Kombol village, Mong Commune, Srey Snom district, Siem Reap province. The latrine she received means that Mrs Sean Yoeun and her family no longer need to defecate in the open, keeping the fields around their house clean. She was very happy with the SaTo pan, in particular she noted that it uses much less water than the ceramic pan toilet she uses at the health centre. She said that sometimes the faeces drops through without any water, but sometimes the pan needs up to a litre to flush, saving between one and two litres of water every flush. Further she thinks that it is easier to keep this pan clean as the health centre toilet was always dirty and her toilet was very clean, which was verified by the RWC staff. RWC also spoke with her son Phan Na who echoed both these points using the toilet at his school for comparison. Mrs Be Beat is the head of a family of five in Prolearn village, in the same commune as the first household. She also recognised that the SaTo pan uses a lot less water than her neighbour’s toilet, about a two or three litre saving each flush. Mrs Be Beat also had many young children in her household and she thought that the SaTo pan was easier for the children to use because it flushes with just the water used to clean their bottom, while with ceramic pans sometimes the child would forget to flush. Both households mentioned that they thought the pan would break, even though it was still working without any issues six months after installation. This is a common perception that RWC has observed regarding the trap door mechanism, even though through years of implementation around the world there have been few reports of these types of failures. This trial has shown RWC that their scale up projects will need to address this perception either by demonstrations or by offering some sort of warranty or guarantee. After the field trip, RWC calculated that the SaTo pan toilets would save households between 3,000 to 6,000 litres per year, equating to about $10 - $20 (USD). Further, it was noted that the toilets were in excellent condition and no household mentioned that they needed to do any maintenance other than cleaning. This case study gifted the infrastructure to families, therefore the sustainability of the technology in terms of willingness to pay cannot be assessed. However, all the technical aspects of the pans worked exceedingly well including maintenance. Scale up projects are being implemented now which will assess the willingness to pay and other ‘soft’ aspects of sustainability. It is expected that initial results from these projects will be received in September. This submission will update to include these results in the presentation at the World Toilet Summit.
Figure 1: Pictures of Mrs. Sean Yoeun (left) and Mrs. Be Beat (right)
Table 1: Analysis of toilet flushing water use by Malteser International
Household size Container size Use over two days
Use over 6 month
dry season
(based on two day
use)
7 People 10 L bucket 40 L (4 buckets) 3,600 L
6 People 15 L bucket 45 L (3 buckets) 4,050 L
6 People Full container 420L
and is 700 mm high
60 L (Container
dropped by 100 mm)
5,400 L
8 People 10 L bucket 30 L (3 buckets) 2,700 L
6 People 15 L bucket 60 L (3 buckets) 5,400 L
Figure 2: SaTo pan product information sheet
Leveraging NGO/donor funds for broader sanitation impacts in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Dr Mike Poustie1, Alois Chadzima 2, Andrew Jalanski 1
1. World Vision Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
2. World Vision Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
YEAR CASE STUDY WAS IMPLEMENTED
2009 to 2016
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
There is a growing acknowledgment that to maximize the financial resources that are mobilized during and
after emergency responses it is imperative to ensure that long term improvements in service delivery and
sustainable development are achieved. This paper presents the experiences from the past 8 years’ of activities
coordinated by World Vision Zimbabwe in response to the 2008-09 cholera epidemic, highlighting how these
interventions led to securing $35M in sanitation, sewerage and water funding through the African Development
Bank with a significant component invested into improving public toilet facilities, including gender and social
inclusivity, throughout the city.
CASE STUDY DETAIL
The specific issue:
In 2008, following two decades of infrastructure deterioration and breakdowns the Bulawayo Sewage Task
Force (BSTF) was formed. It formed as an urgent response to the rapidly deteriorating quality of sanitation and
sewerage services. Then from late 2008 and continuing into 2009 a devastating cholera epidemic occurred
throughout Zimbabwe, with over 98,000 reported cases and resulting in more than 4,000 deaths. As a pre-
established collaborative unit, the BSTF could respond quickly in 2009 when the impact of the epidemic was
still real, and international donors were ready to support infrastructure and public health advancements. Thus,
the Bulawayo Water and Sewage Emergency Response Project (BoWSER) was formed. Since 2009, World
Vision Zimbabwe has been collaborating with the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to increase toilet coverage,
connections to sewers and improved sewer system performance and reliability.
Approach:
Phase 1: Emergency Response (2008-2010) - rehabilitate the dilapidated water and sewage infrastructure and
thus mitigate the risk of future similar epidemics. Its first phase was a clear emergency response to urgent
WASH needs following a serious breakdown of water supply and sewerage systems in parts of Bulawayo and
the imminent threat of a repeat cholera outbreak.
Phase 2: Transitioning to development (2011-2012) - Once the emergency rehabilitation had been completed
and there were signs of improvement in the management of the Bulawayo urban water system the project then
transitioned from an emergency response project to consider how the momentum generated could be utilised
for long term development gains. This phase had a focus on system strengthening and capacity development
Phase 3: Working for Bulawayo’s long term development (2013-2014) - Following Phase 2, it was clear that
there were still additional actions that would improve the long-term resilience and efficacy of Bulawayo’s
sewerage infrastructure and management. These components began to move Bulawayo’s wastewater
management paradigm from emergency management (Phase 1) and system improvement (Phase 2) to future
preparation and planning (Phase 3).
Summary of activities and their implementation.
The initial emergency response phase included short timespan activities like sewer repairs, extensions,
cleaning, replacing pump stations, community education etc. The project then moved into Phase 2 which
included activities like institutional and financial capacity development and system strengthening, development
of customer care capacity, increased wastewater treatment capacity, twinning with eThekwini Water (in South
Africa), and improved relationships and trust building between council and community.
Then Phase 3 took a forward-looking approach and included activities like a water and sanitation masterplan,
assessment of gender and disability friendly services, revision of GESI (gender equity and social inclusion)
policies, implementation of GIS mapping of water and sanitation assets.
All activities were implemented in partnership between BCC, World Vision, community and supported with
additional technical support from eThekwini water.
Summary of outcomes and measurable impacts:
Increased financial sustainability of the water and sewerage sector of BCC through increased service
levels, trust and performance resulting in higher payments of water utility bills;
Decreased response time to reports of sanitation, sewerage or water failures due to the new customer
call centre and the ability to track customer complaints;
Increased coverage of sanitation and sewer services into previously unserved informal communities
on the peri-urban fringe;
Ongoing exchange visits and capacity development between eThekwini Water and BCC;
Implementation of a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion policy for sanitation access and service
levels within BCC;
Following the water and sanitation masterplan and the GESI public toilets and policy, BCC secured
$37M for infrastructure, including retrofitting all public toilets in the city to be GESI friendly
The extent to which the outcomes are sustainable:
The fact that this project has successfully transitioned from a short-term emergency response project to a
longer-term planning and development project reflects the journey that World Vision and BCC have been on
for the past 8 years. Having now leveraged the donor funding received from the Australian and English
Governments to secure a much larger African Development Bank Grant for ongoing upgrading of sanitation
and sewerage services demonstrates the long-term impact of the project.
A SUSTAINABLE TOILET SOLUTION TO FIGHT THE GLOBAL SANITATION CRISIS
Syed Shah1, Aaron Li
1, Susie Guenther
1, Amelia Kuveke
1
1. Australian Centre for Education and Training - Global, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
INTRODUCTION
Globally, limited access to adequate sanitation and clean water remains a formidable threat to humans.
Thousands of people, particularly women and children, die every year due to lack of basic water, sanitation
and hygiene (WASH) services. Insufficient WASH lead to a huge economic loss annually - approximately
1.5% of the global gross domestic product (GDP).
Since 1990, significant progress has been made to improve the world's access to adequate sanitation. Yet
2.4 billion people continue to suffer from a lack of basic sanitation facilities. ACET-Global's environmentally-
friendly, financially viable sanitation system aims to address this world sanitation crisis. To achieve this, we
are combining innovative technologies and social enterprise models to empower local communities.
Our primary goal was to develop a safe, effective, simple sanitation solution, useful in every situation. For
maximum impact, it needed to offer local economic benefits and overcome the limitations of existing
systems. The conventional faecal sludge management systems common in developed countries feature
flush toilets, extensive infrastructure to support sewage systems, and centralised sewage treatment plants
(Figure 1). These systems are usually water-dependent, costly and unsustainable, rendering them ineffective
in solving current sanitation issues, especially in developing regions. In addition, natural disasters and
regular events (e.g. floods and monsoons) often destroy or compromise existing WASH infrastructure. This
undermines WASH efforts, leaving people even more vulnerable to water-borne diseases. Recognising the
opportunity to provide local economic benefits to support our system, we also needed a decentralised
method of effectively and safely processing the waste into a product to be sold locally to generate income.
This income would be used to fund incentives for toilet end-users, in the form of community support services.
HIGHLIGHTS
• We design a safe, affordable, culturally-appropriate portable dry toilet unit.
• The system uses sustainable technologies to convert waste into a valuable product.
• Decentralised waste treatment and end-product usage safely benefits the environment.
• The system provides local entrepreneurial opportunities and supports WASH education.
• The resultant community-centred value chain creates local jobs and social benefits.
PROCESS
We researched existing processes for managing human waste and reviewed literature on current sanitation
promotion models, identifying design limitations and barriers to the widespread adoption of sanitation
solutions (Table 1). Combining this information with new findings and advancements in waste management
technology, we conceived an initial solution to effectively improve sanitation. This solution was further refined
by applying engineering design principles, incorporating appropriate, sustainable waste treatment
technologies, and developing a system that will be applicable in various settings globally.
RESULTS
Drawing on the skills of a diverse team of professionals, academics and partnering universities, along with
our dedicated staff and volunteers, the design process of developing our affordable, portable toilet prototype
has been completed. The proposed sanitation system is sustainable, globally applicable, environmentally-
friendly, and community-centred. It minimises water usage, can manage all human, animal and organic
waste, and economically benefits local community and enterprises, consequently driving the continuous
improvement of local sanitation and hygiene (Figure 2).
We used detailed research to devise a solution appropriate for all communities, considering cultural,
traditional, and religious practices (Table 2). The base dry toilet unit comprises a seat, lid and replaceable
barrel to contain faecal waste. The simple 'flush and forget' system is technologically-appropriate for end-
users. Globally, communities with differing cultures and religions require different systems. In recognition of
this, our toilet unit offers both 'Eastern' and 'Western' designs to better cater for different regions' needs.
Once full, the barrel is sealed, collected and transported by local enterprises to a waste treatment mini-plant.
The system's design prevents the contamination of water supplies with faecal waste, even in the event of
floods or earthquakes. Sustainable technologies are used to safely disinfect the waste and convert it to
valuable material, whilst ensuring zero waste (Figure 3). These soil additives can be sold to generate income
to fund incentive programs for toilet users, or used for revegetation and reforestation locally.
Our proposed sanitation solution emphasises the involvement and empowerment of local communities. Local
enterprises can earn revenue by offering sanitation services, significantly lowering the capital and
operational costs of the whole system, and encouraging collaboration between governments and the public.
With some of the profits, enterprises can invest in the promotion of local WASH education programs,
supporting the expansion of their sanitation businesses. Such community WASH programs will inform and
support the behavioural changes necessary to move towards widespread system implementation and
improved sanitation practices. With this positive cycle, local communities receive economic benefits to drive
the continuous improvement of WASH practices and services.
CONCLUSION
This document has introduced the sanitation system developed by ACET-Global, summarising its
development, and outlining the proposed benefits and application of the resultant solution.
Our proposed sanitation solution is sustainable, globally applicable and financially viable, using a value chain
model to drive self-improvement in local communities' WASH practices. It can be used in both remote, rural
areas and densely populated urban areas, whether as a permanent solution or a portable solution that
assists in mitigating the after-effects of natural disasters (Table 3).
The solution is based upon a culturally-appropriate, dry, portable toilet unit that minimises water usage, with
local, decentralised mini-plants to process waste safely and effectively. The system incorporates on-road
waste logistics and sustainable, locally-appropriate waste management technologies, enabling safe disposal
and beneficial reuse of processed waste. In this way, local communities and enterprises are major players in
the sanitation cycle. These groups are economically benefited, through both supporting improved sanitation
practices, and utilising the treated waste in local businesses and revegetation efforts.
Figure 1: Complex, Expensive Construction of Conventional 'Western' Sewage Treatment Plant
Table 1: Limitations Associated with Some Existing Sanitation Options
Type of sanitation system and common applications
Toilet examples
Issues and limitations
On-site: - Low income and less developed areas - Areas where water is scarce and/or often collected from a stand-post or well
- Simple pit latrine; - Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine; - Pour-flush latrine; - Aqua-privy; - Septic tank; - Ecological sanitation (ecosan) latrine
• Possible groundwater contamination and related health risks if pit is not completely lined;
• Flies and mosquitoes, leading to increased disease transmission;
• Smell/odour nuisance;
• Can require considerable ground space (often limited in urban areas);
• Difficult to construct in rocky or unstable ground;
• Lack of privacy for users;
• Need to be rebuilt regularly, or require regular removal and treatment of sludge;
• Need to keep inside of latrine dark (VIP latrine);
• Need water supply (pour-flush latrine, aqua-privy, septic tank);
• Limited cleansing materials can be used (pour-flush latrine, ecosan latrine);
• Need training of users (ecosan latrine);
• Need permeable land to drain effluent (aqua-privy, septic tank).
Off-site: - Developed countries, affluent areas, cities and high population density areas - Areas with reliable water supply and sewage systems to treat wastewater
- 'Western' water closet; - Squatting pan; - Anglo-Indian toilet; - Smart toilet
• Need reliable water supply;
• Need provision of wastewater treatment;
• Need extensive permanent infrastructure;
• Involve very high capital and operational costs;
• Potential for land ownership issues to arise.
Figure 2: Value Chain of Proposed Sanitation Solution
Table 2: Social Barriers That May Limit Implementation of New Sanitation Systems and WASH Practices
Cultural/Traditional Barriers Religious Barriers
Belief that it is shameful to be seen walking to a toilet Belief that using a toilet may leave you vulnerable to evil spirits or demons
Odour emitted from the toilet Belief that using a toilet may make you lose any magical powers
Belief that only wealthy people own toilets, so they are not affordable/appropriate for the poor
Belief that excrement is impure, and contact with it should be limited
Belief that it is polite to defecate in the field of someone who has given you food
Other Barriers
Belief that using a toilet can shorten life span Perceived lack of privacy when using a toilet and belief that it is uncomfortable or unnatural
Centuries-long practice of defecating in the open Inadequate education on the benefits of using toilets
Comfort with toileting in the open, so do not see need to change
Sanitation may not be a habit that is regularly practised
In some cultures, only people of low social status are responsible for removal of excrement (e.g. the 'Untouchables' in India)
Decrease in open defecation may reduce food for pigs
Figure 3: The Proposed Zero-Waste Solution is Applicable in Diverse Contexts, including Floating Villages
Table 3: Global Applicability of ACET-Global's Proposed Sanitation System
Type of variable Examples of where the proposed sanitation solution may be used
Geographical region
• More developed 'Western' areas – e.g. Australia, NZ, Europe, North America;
• Less developed areas – e.g. Africa, Asia, Oceania, Central America, South America
Context • Remote and/or inaccessible areas where traditional sanitation infrastructure is not possible, due to logistics or short-term nature of settlement (e.g. Antarctic and Arctic regions; scientific fieldwork and expeditions, mining settlements);
• Water-based communities, such as Thailand's floating communities;
• Urban areas with high population densities, such as slums and favelas;
• Rural/remote areas with low population densities, such as national parks, wilderness areas, and camping areas that lack infrastructure;
• After natural disasters – floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, typhoons, etc. - especially when existing sanitation infrastructure has been damaged;
• Crisis areas, such as refugee camps and temporary settlements
Climate • Hot, cold, temperate, dry, and wet climates
Environment • Flood-prone, drought-affected, and earthquake-prone environments
Partnering with all levels of government to increase sanitation coverage in PNG
Dr Mike Poustie1, Sonia Yeung 2, Andrew Jalanski 1
1. World Vision Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
2. World Vision PNG, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
YEAR CASE STUDY WAS IMPLEMENTED
2015 to 2017 (ongoing)
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
Papua New Guinea has seen no improvements in its sanitation coverage over the past 25 years, with only
19% of the population using an improved sanitation facility. World Vision, with funding from the World Bank,
have been working with all levels of government – from the National Department of Health (NDOH) and the
National WASH Project Management Unit, down to district and ward level governance structures to introduce
the Healthy Island Approach, the Government’s methodology of choice, for increasing sanitation coverage in
PNG. Initial results highlight the potential for the Healthy Island Concept (HIC) to drive sanitation behaviour
change in the country.
CASE STUDY DETAIL
The specific issue:
Papua New Guinea has seen no improvements in its sanitation coverage over the past 25 years, with only
19% of the population using an improved sanitation facility (see Figure 1). The lowest coverage of any country
within the Asia-Pacific region. PNG will need a significant change in trajectory if they are to meet either the
Government’s 2030 object or the ambitious sustainable development goals.
PNG faces multiple challenges in increasing sanitation coverage – remote villages, lack of transport
infrastructure, low levels of capacity within the government and enabling environments, legacy of historic
tribalism, hundreds of local languages and political instability.
Approach:
Over the past 4 years World Vision has been using the Healthy Island Concept as a key methodology for
increasing sanitation coverage and sustaining improving hygiene behaviour change in the remote Western
Province of PNG. The Healthy Island Concept is a health promotion methodology which has been widely
supported across the Pacific region. In PNG it has high level political support and has been integrated into the
National Health Policy and the National WASH Policy.
This year, with funding from the World Bank, World Vision has been assessing the national implementation of
the Healthy Island Concept. This includes, partnership with the National Department of Health, the WASH
Project Management Unit (WASH PMU), district health officers and other implementing NGOs, World Vision
has been undertaking a review of the training manuals and behaviour change resources that the government
uses for its healthy Island Approach training and community engagement.
Summary of activities:
To date, World Vision and government partners have conducted the following activities anchored on the HIC:
1) Training of Facilitator, curriculum adaptation. This involved training of 30 facilitators on the use of
the HIC manual.
2) Advocacy meetings with communities. To gain community support, World Vision and government
partners met with community leaders to orient them on HIC.
3) HIC planning workshop with communities. World Vision’s trained facilitators discussed with
community members on the value of taking responsibility for their health as individuals, and as members
of the community. Facilitators raised the community’s awareness on ideal hygiene behaviours and the
importance of a supportive environment (presence of safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health
promotion and education activities, etc.) to sustain the desired behaviour. During the workshop,
community members formulated their collective vision of a “healthy community” and identified specific
steps or pathway to reach their desired health outcomes.
4) Hand-holding support to implement community plans. To help communities follow through with their
plans, World Vision is currently providing mentoring support and technical assistance to the six
communities on the following activities: (i) development of roads; (ii) installation of sanitation facilities;
(iii) installation of handwashing stations; and (iv) improving drinking water sources (see Figure 2).
5) Healthy Islands – national system strengthening: Supported by the World Bank, World Vision has in
2017 undertaken an extensive review of the national Department of Health’s Healthy Island Concept
resources and has revised and updated the materials to have a stronger focus on improving access and
use of sanitation facilities and improved hygiene practices (see Figure 3).
Summary of outcomes and measurable impacts.
With sanitation, hygiene and water programs ranging from very remote rural regions to informal urban
communities WV has developed a rich understanding of the successes and failure of the current HIC
methodology and materials.
Communities have developed their own five year Healthy Village action plans, have constructed toilets,
changed their attitudes towards sanitation and hygiene practices. Local leaders have taken on roles as change
agents and have been champions for improved WASH within their communities.
The work has also seen greater uptake and support through the National Department of Health and the revision
of their Healthy Island resources.
The extent to which the outcomes are sustainable.
Ensuring the sustainability of any WASH programming in PNG is challenging. But in a promising sign for the
sustainability of sanitation and hygiene programs implemented using the Healthy Islands approach – a 2016
report highlighted that there is at least indicative evidence that those programs implemented through the
Healthy Islands Approach show increased levels and probability of sustainability.
World vision are continuing to work to strengthen the enabling environment and train up local sanitation and
hygiene champions who will continue to advocate community members and leaders to use and sustain
culturally appropriate sanitation and hygiene interventions.
Figure 1: A flood resistant toilet
Figure 2: A gravity fed water supply scheme tap
Figure 3: Example of community education or behaviour change material
IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC TOILET SITUATION IN DHAKA CITY
Tariq Bin Yousuf1, Khairul Islam
2
1. Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2. Water Aid, Dhaka, Bangladesh
INTRODUCTION
This case study explains how the situation of the public toilets has been improved through a collaborative
approach of the National, Local Government, NGO, Corporate agencies and Private sector. An agreement
has been signed among Local Government Division of Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development &
Co-operatives, Dhaka (North and South) City Corporation, Water Supply and Sewerage Authority and Water
Aid Bangladesh for commitment towards improvement of public toilets in Dhaka City. So far, 30 Public toilets
have been constructed and operated in an improved and hygienic condition. The operation and management
modality of the public toilets are unique and becoming a replicable model in Bangladesh.
YEAR CASE STUDY WAS IMPLEMENTED
2013 onwards
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
Over half a million people require public toilet services desperately everyday in Dhaka City. There are only
60 public toilets facilities for them. The toilets are unhygienic, wet and unclean. With an aim at improving the
quality and availability of public toilets, since 2013 Dhaka (North and South) City Corporation has been
started constructing and operating public toilets under a project Sunrise with a mission of ‘Making Public
Toilets Work’. Both Mayors has a commitment of 100 public toilets in their five years mayoral tenure. So far
30 public toilets have been constructed and operated in an improved and hygienic condition. The operation
and maintenance facilities of the toilets are provided through the professional private companies. Corporate
agencies are being involved in funding the construction as well as operation of the toilets. The regular
maintenance of the toilets is met from user charges.
CASE STUDY DETAIL
In Dhaka City, it is estimated that around 5.5 million people stay outdoor for an average of 5 to 8 hours a
day. No doubt this huge population needs the service of public toilet to meet their demand. The city lacks
adequate number of public toilets. This poses a serious concern and daunting sanitation challenge for the
commuters. There are only 60 public toilets which are in a very appalling condition. A 2011 Water Aid
Bangladesh study found that over half are in poor condition, 35 do not feature women and child friendly
facilities, over 16 are located in unsafe locations, 28 do not contain reliable water supply and over 37 toilets
are unlit. They have received little maintenance or management attention and most of them are in a very
unhygienic and barely functioning state. To overcome the situation, with the support of Water Aid
Bangladesh, the Dhaka (North and South) City Corporation has taken initiative to improve the existing
conditions of the public toilet. Since 2013, 30 modern and hygienic public toilets have been constructed and
operated under the project Sunrise. The project is funded by H&M conscious Foundation as part of their CSR
commitment. For this a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among the Local Government
Ministry, Dhaka (North & South) City Corporation, Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority and Water Aid.
The technical support was provided by Water Aid. The toilets are unique in design and operation having
separate facilities for male and female, children and disable people. There are facilities for shower, locker
service and drinking water. The toilets are attractive look with good ventilation, lighting facilities with solar
panels and rainwater harvesting roofs. The professional cleaning companies are employed to provide the
service. The users pay money for the operation and maintenance facilities. This amount of money is not
sufficient to cover the cost. The additional costs are covered by the advertising sponsorship of the corporate
agencies. For the supervision and monitoring service, a committee has been formed involving the relevant
agencies and the community. This committee keeps the record of the income and expenditure. The people
are satisfied with the quality of service. The public toilets have brought attention to the city dwellers for the
quality of service standard. It has become a replicable model for other cities of Bangladesh. The World Toilet
Association (WTA) has extended their support to construct and operate such type of public toilets in Dhaka
City through a local NGO SPACE. The Rotary Internationals have come forward with their support to
construct 20 public toilets in the city. Dhaka North City Corporation and Water Aid Bangladesh has been
carried out a performance monitoring survey to find out the strengths and weaknesses to establish it as a
business model. The survey reveals that some commercial activities such as (ATM booth, Newspaper
corners etc.) may be established to cover the operational cost of the public toilets.
Before After
GENERATING AND RESPONDING TO DEMAND FOR SANITAION AT SCALE
John Kelleher 1, Lee Leong 1, Tom Rankin 1
1. Plan International Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Affiliations:
1. Plan International Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
2. Plan International Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
3. Plan International Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan
4. Plan Internatioanl Vietnam, Hanoi, Pakistan
YEAR CASE STUDY WAS IMPLEMENTED
2013 to 2017
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
Plan International Australia has implemented a four year water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program in
Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malawi with a particular ephasis on improving access to rural sanitation and
hygiene, in partnership with government and local civil society. The program has strengthen the enabling
environment in each context through concerted and informed efforts to support governments in planning,
budgeting and implementing WASH programs. The program resulted in over 950,000 additional people
accessing new or upgraded sanitation facilities and the declaration of over 580 communities as open
defecation free. This presentation will share Plan’s experience and approaches in achieving sanitation
outcomes at scale.
CASE STUDY DETAIL
Over four years (2013 to 2017) Plan International implemented WASH projects in four countries across southern Africa, South Asia and South East Asia as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Civil Society WASH Fund. All four projects worked with local government partners to strengthen capabilities for, and to increase practical experience in, developing, delivering and monitoring WASH programs and services, with particular emphasis on sanitation and hygiene in rural areas. Each project was contextually adapted to address key challenges within the specific environment but all four actively pursued partnerships with local government and CSOs to strengthen existing systems/structures for sustainability of outcomes and replication of approaches. The support to government partners varied between the contexts, from Indonesia, where budgeting and planning support was provided to enable government replication in additional Districts, to Malawi, where support focused more on the establishment of skills within extension staff and strengthening of monitoring systems. The program implemented non-subsidised sanitation activities, predominantly, community led total sanitation (CLTS) combined with sanitation market development, each adapted appropriately for the context and informed by formative and action research. The program worked to address sanitation and hygiene challenges in rural schools and communities and included a strong focus on gender and social inclusion to achieve transformative change for vulnerable groups. At the time of abstract submission, as a result of the work of Plan International Australia and its in-country partners, more than 950,000 additional people in poor, remote rural communities had access to and were using new or upgraded sanitation facilities, over 580 communities had reached open defecation free status (or met equivalent local standards) and 150,000 students had participated in school hygiene behaviour change programs. Generating interest in sanitation at the household level through CLTS-based approaches and behaviour change communication was a central component in each project, as were interventions to strengthen local sanitation supply chains and private enterprises able to service increased demand for
products and services. Particular success in strengthening the enabling environment is particularly evident in Indonesia and Pakistan where governments have, with the support of Plan International, replicated the approaches with government funds in new areas, amplifying the results considerably. This presentation will describe Plan International’s experience in collaborating with key government departments to support ‘at-scale’ rural WASH programming in multiple contexts. The audience will learn about the practical, contextualised strategies and measures that were used to enhance demand for sanitation and hygiene products and services, the strategies used to support local market-based responses to this increased household interest in WASH, and hear Plan International’s reflections on the effectiveness of these different approaches.
Figure 1: Change in sanitation and hygiene coverage during Plan’s project in Mulanje District, Malawi. Severe floods were experienced in January 2015.
Figure 2: Change in government funding allocatio in Punjab Province, Pakistan. Plan has had significant
influence over the increased allocation to sanitation (in red).
6984
35
8296
38
58
20
6879
4 15
4556
0
20
40
60
80
100O
ct-1
3
Jan
-14
Apr
-14
Jul-
14
Oct
-14
Jan
-15
Apr
-15
Jul-
15
Oct
-15
Jan
-16
Apr
-16
Jul-
16
Oct
-16
Jan
-17
%Mulanje District % household coverage
over time
Latrines
Drop holecovers
Handwashingfacilities
6,153 5,853 6,696 5,365 6,82111,318
16,476
35,206
2,347 3,647 3,304 4,521 4,047
5,800
7,524
9,794
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
50,000
2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Water Supply Sewerage / Drainage
8500 9500 10,000 9,886 10,868
17,118
24,000
45,000
Funds allocation for Water & Sanitation ADP Allocation (2009-17)
Table 1: Increase in government funding allocation in NTT Province, Indonesia
Plan’s target
Districts, NTT
Province,
Indonesia
NTT Govt Budget
Allocation Before
Advocacy
Approximately in USD
(2013)
NTT Govt Budget
Allocation After Advocacy
Approximately in USD
(2017)
Number of STBM
Replication Villages by
NTT Government
Ende 5,000 61,444 43
East Manggarai 1,500 96,235 43
Ngada 1,250 33,890 43
Kupang 2,000 66,305 50
Sabu 1,500 36,201 26
Total 11,250 294,082 205
Figure 3: Plan Indonesia’s work to influence and support NTT government replication of sanitation and
hygiene in 5 target Districts within NTT Province, Indoncesia.
ENERGY FOR AID: A CROSS SECTOR COLLABORATION SUCCESS STORY
Alexander Pearson 1, Ruby Diaz 2 1. Energy For Aid, Bristol, Avon, England
2. Energy For Aid, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
YEAR CASE STUDY WAS IMPLEMENTED
2012 to 2017
CASE STUDY SUMMARY
Energy For Aid (EFA), as a business leader, manages a collaboration of two partners, one providing a technical solution and the other its practical implementation. The technical solution is a water purification system (CAFÉ) and the practical implementation is through an NGO. The first objective is to assess the suitability of the technology. The second objective is to successfully implement this technology and empower an NGO. The outcome is a success story: a multi sector collaborative approach and cooperation at a Government level within a region, resulting in the provision of access to the vital resource of potable water.
CASE STUDY DETAIL
The specific issue being addressed. There is a proven lack of sustainable water purification technology, coupled with the inability to deliver such systems on the ground. The majority of these collaborations have not succeeded because of high system costs, a reliance on hard-to-source chemicals, and a lack of local skills, investment and infrastructure. The specific issue addresses how such technological solutions can best be transferred to and implemented by an NGO, sustainably. Approach developed to address this issue EFA’s experience has been gained from working with and for engineering companies with ground-breaking technology, and with NGOs with considerable vision. To identify the best suited partners, EFA used in house experts in specific fields to carry out intensive due diligence research of businesses, social enterprises and NGOs. EFA’s business model is one which, through a highly specified vetting procedure, builds professional relationships through technology collaboration. This can only be done with the correct staff and skill sets in place. This is the reason why, EFA’s water microbiologists, water engineers identified a ground-breaking sustainable filtration water treatment system, called CAFE (Clean Aqua For Everyone) to address sanitation issues. Summary of activities and their implementation Forming partnerships between industry partners and NGOs is done through a face to face presentation of the EFA business model. In this example, CAFE was not aware of the NGO and vice versa, so EFA introduced a proactive approach for both parties to collaborate. The collaboration was vital to the provision of a sustainable alternative to the then expensive and obsolete technologies being used, and so as to empower the local community. Each partner agreed to work with the other. The local community in West Bengal (India) did not have a technical understanding of the new CAFE system and so needed an support to manage its practical implementation. Summary of outcomes and measurable impacts of the activities. This collaboration was implemented in a village in West Bengal where arsenic levels in groundwater were as high as 250ug/l (20 times WHO recommended levels), together with high levels of organic pollution from human and animal excrement. The CAFE system was installed and monitored over a 4 year period. The results were outstanding; the filtered drinking water complied with the European Directive standard, and The European Commission FP7 program Eco India permitted the CAFE system to be offered more widely as a potentially sustainable and easily implementable solution. The extent to which the outcomes are sustainable and were achieved in a cost efficient manner CAFE can provide technical information at no cost under an Open Source policy, allowing local companies to fabricate the filters. EFA, liaising with CAFE, can provide complete systems, but the ideal objective is for
local companies to manufacture and install the filters in their communities. EFA can provide turnkey solutions, but as the local social enterprise gain in confidence and experience, they will be able to manufacture 100% of the system. Support and advice to NGOs is provided by EFA researchers and engineers. In the eco-India project in West Bengal, the residents of the village were spending up to 25% of their income on buying bottled water, approx. 0.5 to 1 Euro/day. The new CAFE filter cost 5000 Euro and serviced the population of 250 people. The cost of the system was therefore approximately 20 Euro/person. The return in capital out of revenue savings can therefore be measured in days, not years. Important lessons learnt and critical success factors The partnership which EFA formed was critical to the success of the delivery and implementation of the CAFE system as it brought together sustainable technology and a delivery mechanism. EFA maintains awareness and understanding of the issues faced by the technology supplier and the NGO, by engaging with industrial partners and communities. Other comment/information EFA’s vision is to use this business model to stimulate the demand for sustainable technology and to ensure its effective delivery to and implementation in local communities around the world. EFA’s approach sealing the partnership is the supply of financial donations and technical expertise to a project with which the collaborative NGO is involved. This is a projection of the community arm of EFA which engages in charitable events and practises as a means of raising funds for such donations. Most recently EFA volunteers ran a marathon in Palestine to raise money for the Palestinian Hydrology Group.
FIGURES
Figure 1 is an example of some of the groundwater results of the CAFE system (AFM), the scale on the left is for the influent water values of turbidity which show values ranging between 5.5 and 6.2 NTU turbidity. The AFM filter delivered an average product water turbidity of 0.3 NTU.
Figure 1.Example of samples of influent water values of turbidity after using AFM vs Activated Aluminium
Figure 2 shows the design of the new filter, which can operate at a linear flow velocity from 2 to 5m/hr, with a 1.2m diameter filter, producing between 2000 and 5000 litres of water every hour. If the water is used purely for human consumption, this would be sufficient for up to 1000 people.
Figure 2. Design of the CAFÉ’s new filter.
Figure 3 shows the Eco India team and the villagers from the test site in West Bengal.
Figure 3. Stakeholders of the West Bengal project.
Figure 4 shows the implementation site.
Figure 4. Implementation site in West-Bengal