Investments in sanitation and wastewater treatment are typically three to four times more than those for water treatment systems. In many Asian settings, the operation and maintenance of sanitation systems, whether public or privately owned such as household septic tanks, are ineffective and inefficient. Because of this, system breakdowns are inevitable; the impact of which could be detrimental to public health, the environment, and overall quality of life.

Public utilities struggle to sustain sanitation systems due to lack of funding and incentives that encourage better management. A lack of viable service providers who could deliver components of the sanitation cycle further compounds the challenge of delivering inclusive sanitation.

In this webinar, the interplay of citywide inclusive sanitation (CWIS) elements – institutions, safety and reliability, equity and inclusion, and sustainability – will be examined in the context of ensuring service continuity. The webinar will assess asset management, operation and maintenance, and other strategies that integrate sustainability into CWIS plans, programs, and projects.