Subject Areas for Making Improvements in Eco-sanitation (eco-san)

Prepared by Kimberly (Kim) King |  Container-based Eco-sanitiation (CBeS) Expert | Project Engineer | Renewable Energy Engineer

In general improvements in eco-sanitation need to be made in ten subject areas, although there is room for more—I bolded what I think are the most challenging:  

1. Policy development

2. Low-cost solutions 

3. User choice

4. Decentralization

5. Mapping poverty areas6. Funding of demand creation

7. Motivating users

8. Local production and supply

9. Phasing out ineffective subsidies

10. Going beyond numbers to healthy practices 

Ten other subject areas are still overlooked or under-developed:  

1. Diversification between and within households

2. Cost-effective promotion

3. Targeting remaining subsidies with equity

4. Upgrading toilets over time

5. Environmental safety

6. Scope for dry toilets

7. Sanitation in urban slums

8. Short-term versus long-term programs

9. Sustainability of facilities and programs

10. Organizational and human capacities - especially at the crucial intermediate level 

Barriers to progress in eco-sanitation (eco-san): 

1. Lack of political will 

2. Low prestige and recognition 

3. Poor policy at all levels 

4. Poor institutional framework 

5.Inadequate and poorly used resources 

6. Inappropriate approaches 

7. Failure to admit disadvantages of conventional sewerage 

8. Neglect of consumer preferences 

9. Ineffective promotion and low public awareness 

10. Women and children’s needs are considered last 

11. Little effective demand 

12. Cultural taboos and beliefs