Nairobi, one of Africa’s largest cities, is facing an unprecedented challenge: water access
Through interactive maps, drone footage, case studies and comprehensive analysis, we are telling the story of building the city’s water resiliency
Story map: Growing Nairobi, Flowing Nairobi
Report: A journey of institutional change: extending water services to Nairobi’s informal settlements
Could you run an urban sanitation business? Find out with our new simulation.
Learn more about sanitation businesses by watching our films on SWEEP in Bangladesh and Gasia Poa in Kenya.
Also:
Read our guide to strengthening the enabling environment for faecal sludge management
The female-friendly guide written by WaterAid, UNICEF and WSUP, is designed primarily for use by local authorities in towns and cities who are in charge of public and community toilets. It’s also useful for national governments, public and private service providers, NGOs, donors and civil society organisations who play a role in delivering these services. The […]
This Topic Brief sets out the process of institutional change undergone by Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company (NCWSC) to extend services to the informal settlements of Nairobi. Beginning with the creation of an Informal Settlements Department (ISD) in 2009, the utility has implemented a set of structural reforms, strategies and service delivery approaches which […]
This publication describes the methodology used by WSUP in citywide surveys of water and sanitation service levels in 7 cities in 2017/2018. These were surveys designed to give an assessment of water and sanitation service levels across the city, with a particular focus on low-income areas. Surveys were relatively low-cost with total sample size in each […]
This publication presents the results of baseline urban WASH sector functionality assessments in WSUP’s six programme countries. We begin by outlining the rationale and process for creating a framework, the methodology and results from the baseline assessments, and concluding it by exploring potential applications of the framework. WSUP’s decision to develop a Sector Functionality Framework […]
According to the Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2009, City Corporations (CCs) are responsible for sanitation in large cities – a key public service, because millions of urban Bangladeshis of all income levels rely on on-site sanitation like septic tanks. But are CCs able to deliver safe and affordable sanitation services such as faecal sludge […]
The establishment of a strong institutional framework for Kenya’s sanitation sector can help secure better urban sanitation outcomes by coordinating action, ensuring cooperation and generating commitment among the responsible organisations at all levels. Kenya’s institutional framework is currently in transition and the enactment of the Environmental and Sanitation Bill will provide the much-needed enabling environment […]
Water security has a critical role to play in preserving ecosystems, including those in urban areas. Through an in-depth case study of Lusaka, Zambia, this Topic Brief explores how public authorities and their partners can work together to identify and respond effectively to risk by developing systems that protect water resources and therefore better plan […]
Shared toilets are often dirty and poorly maintained: but for some slum-dwellers living in tiny dwellings, they’re the only option. So what are the requirements for high-quality shared sanitation? This Policy Brief outlines a 3-country research project starting in October 2018 under the Urban Sanitation Research Initiative, aiming to identify trackable criteria for high-quality shared […]
Climate change is already having a huge impact in many parts of the world. In countries where WSUP works, poor water availability poses serious risks to society, and as extreme weather events become increasingly frequent, this challenge is worsening. This paper highlights how WSUP works to support climate resilience.
Women and girls primarily bear the responsibility for household water supply and child care, and are the most affected by poor sanitation. The amount of time spent locating and collecting water represents a major barrier to economic gain and empowerment as it reduces time available for income generating activities and school attendance. This paper highlights […]