Recent Posts - SuSanA Forum https://forum.susana.org Sun, 23 Aug 2026 07:28:26 +0200 SuSanA Forum en-gb Is "ODF" Actually the Success Metric We Treat It As? - by: netwas https://forum.susana.org/26-health-issues-and-connections-with-sanitation/26442-is-odf-actually-the-success-metric-we-treat-it-as#35895 https://forum.susana.org/26-health-issues-and-connections-with-sanitation/26442-is-odf-actually-the-success-metric-we-treat-it-as#35895 Our experience embedding Sanitation Safety Planning into post-ODF in, Northern Uganda, has made me increasingly uneasy with that assumption.
Here's the pattern we keep seeing: a village triggers, builds latrines, gets verified, gets certified. Everyone - implementing partner, district, sometimes the community itself, treats that certification as the outcome. Attention and resources move to the next village. But nobody is systematically asking what those latrines look like a year later. Are they still standing? Still safe to use? Still being used at all, or has open defecation quietly crept back in as pits fill and superstructures weaken?
When we started layering safety and sustainability indicators onto the existing post-ODF verification tools , we weren't inventing a new problem. We were just finally measuring one that CLTS's own success metric had trained everyone not to look at.
The assumption I want to challenge
CLTS is genuinely powerful as a triggering mechanism ; it's one of the few approaches that gets communities to collectively decide open defecation is unacceptable, using their own analysis rather than an outsider's. But somewhere along the way, a lot of us (myself included, for years) let "ODF" collapse two very different things into one certificate: behaviour change and infrastructure durability. The first can be real and lasting even while the second quietly fails.
If that's true, then ODF rates, the number most programmes are still judged on may be telling us much more about triggering success than about actual sanitation outcomes a year or two down the line.
Questions 
    • Is anyone else finding that their post-ODF slippage is more of an infrastructure/safety problem than a behavioural one  or is it usually the reverse in your context? 
    • For those who've tried to keep monitoring "community-led" after certification (rather than handing it to an external audit team), what's actually kept village health teams or sanitation committees engaged once the initial triggering energy has faded? 
    • Should ODF certification itself be redefined to include a durability/safety component, or does that risk overloading a tool that's already doing a lot of work just to get communities to that first behaviour shift? ]]> Health issues and connections with sanitation Wed, 12 Aug 2026 21:48:20 +0200 The PPE Paradox and Muster Roll Traps: A Reality Check from Rangpur City's Sanitation Workers - by: shakilWASH https://forum.susana.org/62-wg-9-public-awareness-advocacy-civil-society-engagement/26441-the-ppe-paradox-and-muster-roll-traps-a-reality-check-from-rangpur-city-s-sanitation-workers#35894 https://forum.susana.org/62-wg-9-public-awareness-advocacy-civil-society-engagement/26441-the-ppe-paradox-and-muster-roll-traps-a-reality-check-from-rangpur-city-s-sanitation-workers#35894
We talk a lot about Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in our strategic meetings. But when you actually sit down with the workers—both manual emptiers and vacuum tanker operators—you realize that our standard interventions are fundamentally misaligned with their daily realities.

I want to share three critical bottlenecks I’ve identified on the ground and open the floor to see how other cities or projects are tackling these issues.

1. The "PPE Paradox": We are giving them gear they can't use
The standard narrative is that workers lack PPE. But in Rangpur and Khulna, I found that many workers have received PPE and OHS training (some as recently as 2020). The problem is that standard PPE is entirely unsuited for our climate.

Abdul Malek, a vacuum tanker operator in Rangpur, told me:

"I got twice OHS training and PPE in 2018 and 2020... But I don't feel comfortable to use PPE during work. It's made disturbance in work... it's made me warmer and over sweating most of the time except winter. So, I use PPE rarely if get pressure from authority."

Pranto Das in Khulna echoed this exact same sentiment. If the gear causes physical distress in 35°C heat, workers will naturally prioritize immediate physical comfort over long-term health. Are we wasting resources by distributing standard, heavy-duty PPE in tropical climates? What climate-adaptive, breathable PPE designs are actually working in South Asia?

2. The "Muster Roll" Trap: A 99% Informal Workforce
In Rangpur, about 99% of sanitation workers are employed informally under a "muster roll" system. They face a brutal "no work, no payment" policy. If they are injured or fall sick from handling fecal sludge barehanded, their pay is stopped.

Formal municipal workers earn around $150-$160/month with benefits. Muster roll workers like Abdul make just $80/month, and manual emptiers make even less. Because their base pay is below survival level, manual emptiers take deadly risks.

Mosal Basfor, a manual emptier in Rangpur with 12 years of experience, explained:

"Often, I enter into the pit and septic tank if household demand and pay extra... If we are injured at work, we will not be compensated for our injuries, and no one will take responsibility... We maintain a healthy environment in the city, but what do we get?"

Without formalization, any OHS guidelines we introduce are essentially unenforceable suggestions. How are your projects successfully pushing local city corporations to formalize these workers?

3. The Dark Side of Mechanization (The "Just Transition" Gap)
We all champion mechanization—vacuum tankers over manual bucket-and-rope systems. But mechanization is destroying the livelihoods of traditional manual emptiers.

In Khulna, Gopal Das (25 years in the profession) shared a heartbreaking reality:

"We are suffering extreme poverty at present due to introducing Vacuum Tanker Emptying service. We are unemployed day by day... My younger son at age 14 among 3 children. He goes with me and help my work. I won't able to send for primary education."

We are saving them from health hazards, but pushing them into extreme poverty and child labor. When city corporations introduce vacuum trucks, what policies are being put in place to absorb manual emptiers into the new system (e.g., as drivers, helpers, or maintenance staff)?

Looking Forward
The stigma is so deep that workers like Abdul hide their professions from their neighbors and work only at night to avoid public teasing.

As someone working on Climate Resilient Inclusive Smart City (CRISC) planning, I believe Rangpur City Corporation needs to:
  1. Procure climate-adaptive, lightweight PPE.
  2. Abolish the muster roll and formalize the workforce with living wages.
  3. Enforce the use of gas detectors before any confined space entry.
  4. Create a "Just Transition" policy for manual emptiers displaced by mechanization.
I would love to hear from this community. How do we bridge the gap between high-level CWIS policies and the raw, sweaty, underpaid reality of the frontier fighters keeping our cities clean?]]> Working Group 9 (Public awareness, advocacy, civil society engagement) Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:52:54 +0200 Need assistance on your SFD? Post your questions here and discuss with other SuSanA members! - by: Nida https://forum.susana.org/204-shit-flow-diagrams-sfds-excreta-flow-diagrams/24561-need-assistance-on-your-sfd-post-your-questions-here-and-discuss-with-other-susana-members#35889 https://forum.susana.org/204-shit-flow-diagrams-sfds-excreta-flow-diagrams/24561-need-assistance-on-your-sfd-post-your-questions-here-and-discuss-with-other-susana-members#35889 Shit flow diagrams (SFDs) / Excreta flow diagrams Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:31:30 +0200 SuSanA Forum is gradually transitioning to a LinkedIn Group - by: secretariat https://forum.susana.org/188-help-and-tips-for-susana-website-and-other-related-tools/26435-susana-forum-is-gradually-transitioning-to-a-linkedin-group#35887 https://forum.susana.org/188-help-and-tips-for-susana-website-and-other-related-tools/26435-susana-forum-is-gradually-transitioning-to-a-linkedin-group#35887
The SuSanA Secretariat has exciting news for you! We will gradually transition the SuSanA Forum to a LinkedIn Group, creating a new space for members to connect, exchange ideas, and stay up to date with developments across the sector - all directly in your everday feed. 
 
We warmly invite you to join the LinkedIn Group to ask questions, share your knowledge, news, and insights as well as experiences with the community. You can join the group here . 
 
We are looking forward to your contribution!  
 
Best regards from the SuSanA Secretariat ]]> Information about the SuSanA website and social media channels Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:16:07 +0200 Need assistance on your SFD? Post your questions here and discuss with other SuSanA members! - by: Nida https://forum.susana.org/204-shit-flow-diagrams-sfds-excreta-flow-diagrams/24561-need-assistance-on-your-sfd-post-your-questions-here-and-discuss-with-other-susana-members#35886 https://forum.susana.org/204-shit-flow-diagrams-sfds-excreta-flow-diagrams/24561-need-assistance-on-your-sfd-post-your-questions-here-and-discuss-with-other-susana-members#35886 Shit flow diagrams (SFDs) / Excreta flow diagrams Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:45:58 +0200 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