Research addressing Sanitation & the poor JN Bhagwan

Introduction WRC strategy recognises sanitation as a critically important area of research, which is needed to support accelerated delivery and coverage. WRC strategy recognises sanitation as a critically important area of research, which is needed to support accelerated delivery and coverage. WRC supports the definition of Sanitation as defined in the Sanitation White Paper. WRC supports the definition of Sanitation as defined in the Sanitation White Paper. Sanitation has many cross-cutting impacts on areas of water resources, agriculture, environment etc. Sanitation has many cross-cutting impacts on areas of water resources, agriculture, environment etc. The subject area is mainly attended to in WRC’s KSA of Water Use and Waste Management, within the thrusts of Water Services Institutional and Management Issues and Water Supply and Treatment. The subject area is mainly attended to in WRC’s KSA of Water Use and Waste Management, within the thrusts of Water Services Institutional and Management Issues and Water Supply and Treatment.

Sanitation initiatives WRC foray into CWSS area early 90”s WRC foray into CWSS area early 90”s Many projects initiated aimed at promoting the concepts of community based approaches and introducing appropriate WSS technologies Many projects initiated aimed at promoting the concepts of community based approaches and introducing appropriate WSS technologies Strategic interventions include seminars and workshops Strategic interventions include seminars and workshops Studies undertaken to fill the gap in data and knowledge Studies undertaken to fill the gap in data and knowledge Impact achieved – information and knowledge used into formulation of the RDP Water and Sanitation strategy and the White Paper on WSS Impact achieved – information and knowledge used into formulation of the RDP Water and Sanitation strategy and the White Paper on WSS

A comprehensive portfolio of some 60 research reports presently available in this short space of time A comprehensive portfolio of some 60 research reports presently available in this short space of time Covers a wide range of issues related to policy, technology choice, community and institutional dynamic, economics etc. Covers a wide range of issues related to policy, technology choice, community and institutional dynamic, economics etc.

Challenges Accelerating sanitation delivery Accelerating sanitation delivery Improving hygiene practices related to WSS Improving hygiene practices related to WSS Sustainability of technology and service Sustainability of technology and service Sanitation provision in urban areas Sanitation provision in urban areas Improving technology options Improving technology options Operation and management issues. Operation and management issues. Higher levels of service Higher levels of service

Some highlights Sanitation Financial planning models for water services – adopted by DBSA as a norm for fund applications and provided framework for WSDPs Sanitation Financial planning models for water services – adopted by DBSA as a norm for fund applications and provided framework for WSDPs Improving sanitation on farms Improving sanitation on farms Handbook to guide communities on sanitation choices Handbook to guide communities on sanitation choices SSPRA – onsite sanitation planning and reporting aid. SSPRA – onsite sanitation planning and reporting aid. Review of sanitation in urban and rural areas, fed into Watsan 2000 and RDP Review of sanitation in urban and rural areas, fed into Watsan 2000 and RDP Shallow sewerage technology and its relevance for SA Shallow sewerage technology and its relevance for SA Realtionship between water use, sanitation practices and hygiene Realtionship between water use, sanitation practices and hygiene

Focus area Rural sanitation and hygiene education The focus of research within this programme is on approaches to motivate households to take an active role in improving their sanitation facilities and adopting hygienic practices. Innovative management arrangements - rural water supply The focus of research within this programme is to provide support to water service institutions with special reference to sustainable cost-recovery and implementation of the free basic water policy; key performance indicators for monitoring and evaluation of service delivery; guidelines for sound management of water service institutions and development of effective strategies for promoting an integrated approach to rural development. Peri-urban sanitation research The aim of this programme is to provide research support to sanitation in informal and developing urban areas. Until recently the focus of sanitation has been on rural areas, but the situation in urban areas is much more critical and volatile in terms of public health. Urban sanitation differs from rural sanitation issues related to institutional arrangements, community dynamics and management of interventions. Due to the high densities, technical choices are more complex where an affordable and sustainable service is to be provided. Outcomes from this programme will support local authorities in implementing sustainable solutions, which cater for both the user and institutions needs. Drinking water quality The programme aims to protect human health by ensuring that water supplies and sanitation are of acceptable quality and standards. Outcomes include improve analysis and methodologies, treatment and hygiene practices.

Way Ahead Continue to develop innovative strategies and methodologies to support the acceleration of sanitation Continue to develop innovative strategies and methodologies to support the acceleration of sanitation Address emerging urban sanitation issues Address emerging urban sanitation issues Support improved sanitation technology and its sustainability Support improved sanitation technology and its sustainability Contribute to sustainability Contribute to sustainability