…It comes out of a system. This is not just a system of infrastructure but also that of people, institutions and politics which manage it.
Take a look at how water flows through cities, and how different parts of the system interact to affect whether residents living in the poorest parts of a city can get access to clean, safe, water.
Five myths are stopping investors, agencies and policymakers from properly addressing the inadequate access to essential water and sanitation services in cities across Africa and South Asia. Read our new report, Running Dry.
“Why even the poorest should pay for water” – our CEO debunks the myth of free water, in the Economist Intelligent Unit.
“Proper structures can tackle water, sanitation challenges” – Kenya’s Business Today.
Supporting the development of the National Sanitation Authority in Ghana so it can co-ordinate the push to achieve pro-poor sanitation across the country This Policy Brief provides recommendations based on research conducted to feed into the development of the Government of Ghana’s proposed National Sanitation Authority. While the exact shape of the NSA is still […]
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.
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