Recent Posts - SuSanA Forum https://forum.susana.org Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:47:16 +0200 SuSanA Forum en-gb Integrating Women’s Self-Help Groups into Urban Sanitation Service Delivery in India - by: meghna https://forum.susana.org/knowledge-management-for-sanitation-workers-topics/26325-integrating-women-s-self-help-groups-into-urban-sanitation-service-delivery-in-india#35885 https://forum.susana.org/knowledge-management-for-sanitation-workers-topics/26325-integrating-women-s-self-help-groups-into-urban-sanitation-service-delivery-in-india#35885 Kind regards,Meghna]]> Equity, dignity, caste and gender aspects for sanitation workers Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:33:30 +0200 The Garima Story: Sanitation Work with Safety and Dignity in Urban Odisha - by: meghna https://forum.susana.org/knowledge-management-for-sanitation-workers-topics/26354-the-garima-story-sanitation-work-with-safety-and-dignity-in-urban-odisha#35884 https://forum.susana.org/knowledge-management-for-sanitation-workers-topics/26354-the-garima-story-sanitation-work-with-safety-and-dignity-in-urban-odisha#35884
Thank you for your thoughtful comments and for sharing the context from Zambia.One of the key lessons from the Garima Programme has been that improving sanitation worker safety requires a combination of policy commitment, institutional systems, capacity building, and continuous engagement with workers themselves. The programme continues to evolve through the experiences and feedback of sanitation workers across Odisha.We agree that many sanitation workers around the world continue to face unsafe and challenging working conditions. Platforms such as SuSanA provide valuable opportunities to learn from one another and exchange practical approaches for improving worker safety, dignity, and social protection.We would be very interested to learn more about initiatives and experiences from Zambia related to sanitation worker welfare and occupational safety.Thank you again for engaging with the publication.Kind regards,
Meghna]]> Equity, dignity, caste and gender aspects for sanitation workers Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:09:32 +0200 Design, Operation and Maintenance Guidelines for Garima Griha: Welfare Facilities for Sanitation Workers in Odisha, India - by: meghna https://forum.susana.org/health-and-safety-aspects-for-sanitation-workers/26434-design-operation-and-maintenance-guidelines-for-garima-griha-welfare-facilities-for-sanitation-workers-in-odisha-india#35883 https://forum.susana.org/health-and-safety-aspects-for-sanitation-workers/26434-design-operation-and-maintenance-guidelines-for-garima-griha-welfare-facilities-for-sanitation-workers-in-odisha-india#35883 Design, Operation and Maintenance Guidelines for Garima Griha: Welfare Facilities for Sanitation Workers in Odisha, India

Sanitation workers often perform their duties in hazardous environments with limited access to safe spaces for changing, washing, resting, or storing personal protective equipment (PPE). To address these challenges, the Government of Odisha established Garima Grihas—dedicated welfare and support facilities designed for sanitation workers.

This publication presents detailed Design, Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Guidelines for planning, constructing, and managing Garima Grihas across urban local bodies.

About Garima Griha
Garima Grihas serve as dedicated worker support centres that provide:
• PPE washing and drying areas
• Gender-segregated changing rooms
• Toilets and bathing facilities
• Secure storage lockers
• Resting spaces
• Safe drinking water
• Information and awareness materials on occupational safety

The guidelines were developed under Odisha's Garima Programme, which aims to improve the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of sanitation workers.

Role of UMC
The Urban Management Centre (UMC) provided technical support to the Government of Odisha in conceptualising, documenting, and developing these design and operational guidelines. The document draws upon field experience from Garima Grihas established across Odisha and translates those learnings into a practical reference for cities and sanitation agencies.

What the publication covers
• Site selection and accessibility criteria
• Architectural and spatial planning standards
• PPE wash and drying facilities
• Gender-responsive changing rooms and toilets
• Resting and welfare spaces
• Safety, lighting and ventilation requirements
• Water supply and plumbing specifications
• O&M protocols and staffing responsibilities
• Indicative monthly operating costs

Why this resource matters
While considerable attention is often given to sanitation infrastructure, worker welfare infrastructure remains underdeveloped. Garima Griha offers a practical model for creating safe, dignified, and worker-centric facilities that can be replicated by cities and utilities seeking to strengthen occupational health and safety systems.

📘 Access the publication:
Sanitation Worker Compendiums – Urban Management Centre

We invite SuSanA members to share examples of sanitation worker welfare facilities, rest centres, changing facilities, and worker-support infrastructure from their own contexts.

— Meghna Malhotra
Deputy Director, Urban Management Centre (UMC), India]]> Health and safety aspects for sanitation workers Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:50:28 +0200 Join us on 26 May | From Awareness to Investment: Market-Based Sanitation in Rwanda - by: BatimaTleuli https://forum.susana.org/146-webinars-and-online-meetings/26433-join-us-on-26-may-from-awareness-to-investment-market-based-sanitation-in-rwanda#35882 https://forum.susana.org/146-webinars-and-online-meetings/26433-join-us-on-26-may-from-awareness-to-investment-market-based-sanitation-in-rwanda#35882
From Awareness to Investment: How the Market-Based Sanitation Approach is improving sanitation access in Rwanda
WaterForPeople_speakers.png

Awareness campaigns have their place, but they rarely lead to lasting change on their own. This webinar explores how the US-funded Isoko y'Ubuzima project in Rwanda has gone further, combining behaviour change, market development, and access to finance to drive real, sustainable household investment in sanitation services.

Expect practical insights on what works, what doesn't, and how this integrated approach is shifting the dial on rural sanitation access.

Speakers:
  • Bruce Uwonkunda - Chief of Party, Isoko y'Ubuzima Project
  • Marie Nicaise Igabinena - Project Manager, CARE Rwanda
  • Sam Noheli - Private Sector Development Advisor, Water for People
  • Leon Pierre Rusanganwa - Health Program Coordinator, Private Sector Federation (PSF)
Moderated by Sean Furey, Director of the Rural Water Supply Network

📅 26 May 2026, 14:00 CEST (08:00 EDT | 13:00 BST | 15:00 EAT | 17:30 IST | 20:00 PST)
🌐 English with simultaneous French interpretation
👉 REGISTER HERE

We look forward to welcoming you online! 

FRANÇAIS

Nous avons le plaisir de vous inviter au deuxième webinaire de la série RWSN début 2026 — et celui-ci est entièrement consacré à l'assainissement !

De la sensibilisation à l'investissement : comment l'approche d'assainissement basée sur le marché améliore l'accès à l'assainissement au Rwanda

Les campagnes de sensibilisation ont leur utilité, mais elles mènent rarement à un changement durable à elles seules. Ce webinaire explore comment le projet Isoko y'Ubuzima, financé par les États-Unis, est allé plus loin en combinant changement de comportement, développement des marchés et accès au financement pour encourager un investissement ménager réel et durable dans les services d'assainissement.

Attendez-vous à des enseignements pratiques sur ce qui fonctionne, ce qui ne fonctionne pas, et comment cette approche intégrée fait bouger les lignes en matière d'accès à l'assainissement rural.

Intervenant·e·s :
  • Bruce Uwonkunda — Chef de projet, Isoko y'Ubuzima
  • Marie Nicaise Igabinena — Cheffe de projet, CARE Rwanda
  • Sam Noheli — Conseiller en développement du secteur privé, Water for People
  • Leon Pierre Rusanganwa — Coordinateur du programme santé, Fédération du secteur privé (PSF)
Modéré par Sean Furey, Directeur du Réseau pour l'eau potable en milieu rural (RWSN)

📅 26 mai 2026 | 14h00 CEST (08h00 EDT | 13h00 BST | 15h00 EAT | 17h30 IST | 20h00 PST)
🌐 En anglais avec interprétation simultanée en français
👉 Inscrivez-vous ici : us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1asm...KndNMQ#/registration

Nous nous réjouissons de vous accueillir en ligne !]]> Webinars and online meetings Thu, 21 May 2026 12:50:20 +0200 Strengthening Engagement of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Sanitation Livelihoods – Resource Pack - by: meghna https://forum.susana.org/knowledge-management-for-sanitation-workers-topics/26431-strengthening-engagement-of-self-help-groups-shgs-in-sanitation-livelihoods-resource-pack#35880 https://forum.susana.org/knowledge-management-for-sanitation-workers-topics/26431-strengthening-engagement-of-self-help-groups-shgs-in-sanitation-livelihoods-resource-pack#35880 Strengthening Engagement of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Sanitation Livelihoods – Resource Pack

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as key enablers of community-led development in India. This resource pack highlights how SHGs can be effectively engaged in sanitation service delivery and livelihoods, contributing to both improved urban sanitation outcomes and women’s economic empowerment.

About the resource:
Developed by the Urban Management Centre (UMC), this collection brings together a series of visual, easy-to-use poster-based tools designed for practitioners, government officials, and community institutions. These materials support awareness generation, training, and on-ground implementation.

What the resource includes:
• Posters explaining sanitation value chains and SHG roles
• Visual guides for service delivery models (e.g., waste collection, desludging support)
• IEC materials for training and capacity building
• Simplified communication tools for engaging communities and SHG members

Why it matters:
Integrating SHGs into sanitation systems not only strengthens service delivery at the local level but also creates sustainable livelihood opportunities for women. These resources aim to bridge knowledge gaps and enable scalable, community-driven sanitation models.

📌 Access the full resource pack here:
umcasia.org/what-we-do/strengthening-eng...itation-livelihoods/

We invite SuSanA members to share experiences of engaging SHGs or similar community-based organisations in sanitation and waste management services.

— Meghna Malhotra
Deputy Director, Urban Management Centre (UMC), India

Keywords:
self-help groups, SHGs, sanitation livelihoods, women empowerment, community engagement, urban sanitation, capacity building, IEC materials, behaviour change, waste management, FSM, inclusive sanitation, India, UMC, sanitation value chain

Short Description:
A set of visual, practitioner-friendly resources developed by UMC to support the integration of women’s self-help groups into sanitation service delivery and livelihoods.]]> Equity, dignity, caste and gender aspects for sanitation workers Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:29:16 +0200 Biodegradable septic tank - by: NicolAndre https://forum.susana.org/53-faecal-sludge-management/26239-biodegradable-septic-tank#35879 https://forum.susana.org/53-faecal-sludge-management/26239-biodegradable-septic-tank#35879
I only saw your message now. I did not receive an e-mail notification.
I will reply to you per e-mail messenger now...]]> Faecal sludge management (FSM) Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:20:28 +0200 The 36th SuSanA Meeting Awaits! - by: secretariat https://forum.susana.org/232-susana-meetings/26430-the-36th-susana-meeting-awaits#35878 https://forum.susana.org/232-susana-meetings/26430-the-36th-susana-meeting-awaits#35878 We’re thrilled to announce that this year marks the 36th SuSanA Meeting!

📅 When? August 22, 2026
📍 Where? Stockholm, TBC

This event is a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and exchange insights on sustainable sanitation practices. Expect a diverse range of engaging and insightful presentations on the topic of sanitation.

💡 We’re also looking for your contributions!
We welcome presentations on a variety of topics, including but not limited to:
✅ Achieving SDG 6.2 on sanitation beyond 2030: Bridging the gap between policy and implementation
✅ The impact of climate change on WASH: The sector’s influence on climate outcomes
✅ Capacity building: Tools, innovation, and knowledge sharing
✅ Financial sustainability of sanitation systems: Diversification of funding sources
✅ Engagement with the private sector

If you’re interested, follow the link to sign up and download the proposal form:  Sanitation Events - Sustainable Sanitation Alliance - SuSanA

Let’s come together to drive progress in sustainable sanitation. We can’t wait to see your ideas and contributions!]]> SuSanA meetings and meetings organised by SuSanA partners Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:04:44 +0200 Sandec Updates April 2026 - by: jnmacart https://forum.susana.org/89-new-publications-books-articles-partner-newsletters-journals-blogs-websites-videos/26407-sandec-updates-april-2026#35877 https://forum.susana.org/89-new-publications-books-articles-partner-newsletters-journals-blogs-websites-videos/26407-sandec-updates-april-2026#35877
📖 Learning  & Knowledge
💧Water
  • Chlorination technologies for small piped supplies in Nepal - Practical Guide
  • Water Flow Diagram Website Learn more about how to create a Water Flow Diagram and how they have been used around the world. Website
  • What makes effective local water partnerships? Water partnerships: pathways for sustainable safe drinking water supply ( Zimmermann & Meierhofer 2026 )
  • How effective are Water Safety Plans? Evaluation of water safety plan outcomes and impacts in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Uganda ( Kanyesigye et al. 2026 )  

💩 Sanitation
  • Piloting a small-footprint wastewater dewatering unit for non-sewered sanitation - Video  (4 minutes) | Learning Brief
  • Does decentralized vermifiltration reduce water demand? Des lombrics en Ville[Earthworms in the City, article in French] ( Coppens et al. 2026 )  

🗑️ Solid Waste
  • How to run a black soldier fly farm to process organic waste  Standard Operating Procedures for the Simplified Black Soldier Fly Approach (SIMBA) Grow-Out Unit  | Reproduction Unit
  • Will farmers adopt affordable BSFL frass? Farmers’ willingness to pay for organic fertilisers from Black Soldiers Fly Larvae frass in Malawi ( Mnthambalaet al. 2026 )  
🔗Resilience & Integration
  • Integrated sensitisation campaign for water, sanitation and solid waste - Key messages and guidance
  • Assessing climate resilience of water, sanitation and solid waste services in Ugandan small towns - Research Brief
]]> New publications (books, articles, websites, videos) Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:41:01 +0200 Webinar: Understanding WASH Challenges at the Urban Fringe - by: harsh https://forum.susana.org/285-advocacy/26427-webinar-understanding-wash-challenges-at-the-urban-fringe#35876 https://forum.susana.org/285-advocacy/26427-webinar-understanding-wash-challenges-at-the-urban-fringe#35876 Registration Link
 For more inforamation
Understanding WASH Challenges at the Urban Fringe
Rapid urbanisation is reshaping our cities—but what about those living at the urban fringe?These areas face unique and often overlooked WASH challenges, ranging from inadequate infrastructure to widening inequalities and increasing climate vulnerabilities.Did you know?While urban areas may show higher overall coverage, deep inequalities persist, leaving the most vulnerable populations without access to safe water and sanitation.Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), in collaboration with Tata Trusts, invites you to a webinar to explore and understand the kind of challenges WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) systems face in villages that have recently transitioned to urban administration.CSE has done a study on the recently incorporated peri-urban areas of Bijnor city in Uttar Pradesh – the learn- ings that have emerged from this study, especially with respect to governance and economic factors influencing service delivery, will be the basis of the discussions in the webinar.As cities expand, peri-urban areas transition from rural to urban governance systems, often resulting in gaps in WASH planning, infrastructure development, service provision and institutional coordination. Using Bijnor as the case study, the webinar will explore the impacts of municipal expansion on water supply, sanitation, stormwater management, and service equity in newly added urban areas. The discussion will also highlight governance and planning dynamics shaping peri-urban transitions, identify key implementation challenges, and outline pathways towards more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable WASH service delivery during urban growth.]]> Advocacy and events on WASH & Nutrition Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:47:35 +0200 Aeration/Activated Sludge for FSM Sand Bed Effluent – Any Experience? - by: kharallaxman https://forum.susana.org/26-health-issues-and-connections-with-sanitation/26426-aeration-activated-sludge-for-fsm-sand-bed-effluent-any-experience#35875 https://forum.susana.org/26-health-issues-and-connections-with-sanitation/26426-aeration-activated-sludge-for-fsm-sand-bed-effluent-any-experience#35875 Health issues and connections with sanitation Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:47:26 +0200 UNICEF is recruiting a Global Sanitation Lead (P5), Nairobi. - by: DaveTrouba https://forum.susana.org/20-jobs-consultancies-internships/26425-unicef-is-recruiting-a-global-sanitation-lead-p5-nairobi#35874 https://forum.susana.org/20-jobs-consultancies-internships/26425-unicef-is-recruiting-a-global-sanitation-lead-p5-nairobi#35874
UNICEF is recruiting a Global Sanitation Lead (P5), Nairobi. Rare chance to shape leadership on sanitation, MHH and WASH in schools.Deadline 10 April.An important role to help advance safely managed, climate-resilient sanitation for all.🔗  tinyurl.com/43a53e2z ]]> Jobs, consultancies, internships Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:50:19 +0200 Funding offer for dry toilet project - Offre de financement pour un projet de toilettes sèches - by: Chaiwe https://forum.susana.org/39-miscellaneous-any-other-topic/26416-funding-offer-for-dry-toilet-project-offre-de-financement-pour-un-projet-de-toilettes-seches#35872 https://forum.susana.org/39-miscellaneous-any-other-topic/26416-funding-offer-for-dry-toilet-project-offre-de-financement-pour-un-projet-de-toilettes-seches#35872
Whats a lovely opportunity. Thanx for sharing. 

I also found a link to the book here in Amazon: www.amazon.fr/petit-coin-pour-soulager-p...3%A8te/dp/2953087702 
It has some amazing reviews, and of course its about Toilets. Is there an English version available?

Kind regards,
Chaiwe]]> Miscellaneous - any other topic Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:55:13 +0100 Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) podcast examines the ‘wicked’ nature of poverty from a multi-dimensional perspective - by: Ekane https://forum.susana.org/146-webinars-and-online-meetings/26420-stockholm-environment-institute-sei-podcast-examines-the-wicked-nature-of-poverty-from-a-multi-dimensional-perspective#35868 https://forum.susana.org/146-webinars-and-online-meetings/26420-stockholm-environment-institute-sei-podcast-examines-the-wicked-nature-of-poverty-from-a-multi-dimensional-perspective#35868 Poverty is often tracked using the income threshold which is narrow and misses many critical dimensions. As a result, we often dodge the root causes of poverty and deal mainly with the symptoms which makes the problem insurmountable. Poverty is constructed and perpetuated at different levels of society by structural factors that can only be effectively analysed and understood by adopting a multi-dimensional perspective. 

In this podcast, Tracy Morse (University of Strathclyde), Dani Barrington (The University of Western Australia), Charmaine Caparas (Stockholm Environment Institute), and Nelson Ekane (Stockholm Environment Institute) examine the 'wicked' nature of poverty with examples from the water, sanitation and hygiene sector
open.spotify.com/episode/4poOMghgur4wuaudpMwRM3 
 www.sei.org/podcasts/multidimensional-poverty-environment-wash/  

Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene services take a toll on human health, particularly among children under five years of age and the vulnerable in society. Poor health impairs the productive ability of people and keeps them away from school and work. This has implications for human and economic development and exacerbates poverty. This is articulated in Chapter 31 of the Routledge Handbook of Water and Development  www.routledge.com/Routledge-Handbook-of-...p/book/9780367558772 ]]> Webinars and online meetings Fri, 13 Mar 2026 21:13:20 +0100 Are there urine collection systems at a larger scale? - by: HAPitot https://forum.susana.org/175-urine-reuse-or-infiltration/26269-are-there-urine-collection-systems-at-a-larger-scale#35866 https://forum.susana.org/175-urine-reuse-or-infiltration/26269-are-there-urine-collection-systems-at-a-larger-scale#35866
I thought I leave you with some indication about my conclusions regarding the idea of recovering urine as a fertilizer in our region of Seesen/Harz in Germany.  The site visit of the water treatment facility has shown that phosphorous is already being recovered by precipitation and added to the sewage sludge.  The sludge is stabilized anaerobically and used by local farmers.  Nitrogen is gasified in a biological process, potassium is, for the most part, left in the water.

By contrast, it turns out that the Aurin fertilizer as sold in Switzerland is expensive, at least if compared with a comparable chemical fertilizer.  I don't think the situation would be fundamentally different if urine were collected in Germany in a commercial venture.  Since the local water treatment facility is currently working to the satisfaction of the town administration, there would only be limited synergies if urine was collected separately.  In addition, locals are not showing much interest in such an idea.

I think the situation would be different if a fertilizer like Aurin could be sold at a price that is lower than that of chemical fertilizer.  For that to happen, energy prices, in particular the price of natural gas, would have to go up significantly, since prices of chemical fertilizer, nitrogen fertilizer in particular, should be strongly linked to energy prices.  As carbon taxes are slowly increasing the price of natural gas, there should, at some point in time, come a point were the price of a fertilizer like Aurin is becoming comparable to the one of chemical fertilizer.  It would be interesting to come up with a model that could predict at which price the production of a urine derived fertilizer will break even as energy prices are increasing.

Another problem is the current legislation in Germany about excreta derived fertilizers.  I'm not particularly well versed about this issue, but I understand that all you can do with urine under current legislation in Germany is to use it in you own garden.

Regards to everybody,
H-A]]> Urine reuse or infiltration Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:47:55 +0100 updated MOOCs on Solid Waste Management and Water Treatment - by: FabianSuter https://forum.susana.org/54-wg-1-capacity-development/26418-updated-moocs-on-solid-waste-management-and-water-treatment#35865 https://forum.susana.org/54-wg-1-capacity-development/26418-updated-moocs-on-solid-waste-management-and-water-treatment#35865 www.eawag.ch/mooc .

Solid Waste Management MOOC: Curious to see what happens when solid waste experts collaborate with AI avatars? The newly updated version includes practical insights on disposal site upgrading, gender and waste, waste reduction strategies, climate change, and solid waste management tools. Join more than 100,000 students and professionals worldwide who have already strengthened their expertise with our Solid Waste Management course. www.coursera.org/learn/solid-waste-management


Household Water Treatment & Safe Storage MOOC: In the new course version, we broaden the perspective from household water treatment to complete water supply systems. You will learn how different technologies are combined along the water chain and how functional groups help structure and compare water system designs. Join us to deepen your understanding of safe water solutions in a practical and engaging way.  www.coursera.org/learn/water-treatment/

StudentsatSomaliNationalUniversitylearningwiththeMOOCs.png
]]> Working Group 1 (Capacity development) Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:51:29 +0100