518 पटक हेरिएको It was around mid-2021. Sanitation experts would speak about the citywide inclusive sanitation (CWIS) initiatives implemented in Senegal and Bangladesh on various platforms. Experts would say, ‘Citywide inclusive sanitation is an effective approach to sanitation as it establishes access to safe, equitable, and sustainable sanitation services for everyone, and Nepal should also adopt this approach.'”
In this context, efforts to implement CWIS practices began in Nepal as well, under the guidance of the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation Alliance Nepal (CWISAN). Although several agencies had already been working in this area, it was the first national platform being created explicitly to promote CWIS practices in Nepal.
In 2022, the same year CWISAN was established, the Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) initiated a project, for promoting CWIS with financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Within three years of the project’s inception, a foundational structure has been prepared to fully implement this concept nationwide.
Initially, studies were conducted on various topics, including the status of CWIS, training needs, the conditions of fecal sludge treatment plants, and the availability of sanitation workers for septic tank emptying, as noted by Sudha Shrestha, National Professional Officer at UN-Habitat. This led to the identification of requirements for human resources, technical expertise, and regulatory frameworks necessary for implementing CWIS, resulting in the launch of relevant programs.
What is Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS)?
While sanitation should be available to all, marginalized communities often find themselves excluded from these systems. During the Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign, the most disadvantaged and landless communities faced challenges in constructing toilets, leading to the construction of temporary toilets, merely meeting ODF declarations.
CWIS is an emerging approach promoting safe, equitable and sustainable sanitation services to all. It aims to create a sanitation system that reaches even the poorest communities. This approach ensures the safe management of human waste at every stage of the sanitation chain, providing reliable services for all city residents, irrespective of their economic status.
Govinda Shrestha, Senior WASH Policy Advisor at WaterAid Nepal, explains that discussions on sanitation mostly revolved around centralized sewer systems until a few years ago. However, in the past three to four years, there has been a growing recognition that sanitation involves more than just connecting to sewers; it also requires separate management of human waste. CWIS advocates for the inclusion of the poor. This is not just a short-term project but rather a matter of empowering responsible bodies to work with authority and linking it with public sector accountability, a responsibility the government has acknowledged as its own duty.
Initiation of CWIS in Nepal
CWIS represents a completely new approach for Nepal’s sanitation sector. Therefore, there was an initial need to raise awareness among stakeholders about what CWIS entails, its importance, and how it fuctions.
At the outset, there was insufficient documentation available to effectively communicate these concepts. To address this, a study was conducted in 17 municipalities across the terai, hills, and mountains, encompassing all seven provinces, to assess training needs and establish a foundation for this new sanitation approach.
For this, data was collected and analyzed from key decision-makers within the municipalities, including mayors, deputy mayors, chief administrative officers, along with department heads, municipal engineers, sanitation service providers, and sanitation workers, such as masons.
According to Ash Kumar Khaitu, Program Manager at the ENPHO, the study revealed a significant lack of understanding among stakeholders about the CWIS concept and their specific roles in its implementation. To address this gap, it was identified that 12 training packages would need to be developed. Following this, ENPHO, in collaboration with Karnali Water Activity, WaterAid Nepal, SNV, Triangle Solutions, and UN-Habitat, initiated the development of these training packages.
Orientation for Elected Representatives
Since CWIS is a new approach in Nepal, it was essential to inform all stakeholders about it. Since local governments are responsible for its implementation, it was particularly important to clarify its principles for municipalities and elected representatives.
Reflecting on the process of developing the training packages, Program Manager Khaitu explains, “As mayors and deputy mayors play a vital role in implementing this concept at the local government level, we initiated capacity-building efforts with a two-hour session to explain what it entails.”
Following this, orientation sessions on the CWIS approach were conducted in nearly 70 municipalities, engaging elected representatives and municipal executive members in the discussion.
Training Packages: From Concept to Sanitation Business
The first package focused on providing initial information about the concept of CWIS. Once individuals grasp what CWIS is, they require more in-depth information for implementation. Program Manager Khaitu states, “Another package has been designed to introduce the CWIS concept to those working in this field.”
To advance this initiative further, the need for trainers has been identified, leading to the creation of an additional training package specifically for trainers’ development. Consequently, three packages have been developed to explain and elaborate on the concept of CWIS.
Another training package addresses the technical aspects of CWIS. This package is intended for those requiring technical expertise and covers various topics, including how to design fecal sludge treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, and septic tanks, as well as the essential components of different units. Additionally, it also provides guidance on operating a fecal sludge treatment plant. According to Khaitu, an additional package has been developed specifically to focus on the operation and maintenance of fecal sludge treatment facilities
Furthermore, there is an emphasis on occupational health and safety, and a separate package has also been created to address gender and social inclusion in urban sanitation.
There is also a package for business development, which has been currently created explaining the conduction of business in sanitation. Thus, eight different training packages have been completed and other packages are in progress.
“Practical knowledge has also been incorporated at every stage of the training. The aim is to ensure that participants can observe what they have learnt, allowing participants to build confidence. Interacting with professionals in the field enhances their understanding, which is why field exposure is vital,” he explained.
Training Package: Endorsement from DWSSM
All training packages related to CWIS have been endorsed by the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management (DWSSM), signifying government ownership of these training packages. As a result, both government and non-government organizations will utilize these training packages for CWIS related training. This initiative is expected to foster a consistent understanding of CWIS and enhance the planning and execution of related programs.
Director General E. Ram Kumar Shrestha of DWSSM stated that these training packages will be incorporated into the training that is conducted by the department. “Unlike in the past, we now have various training packages tailored for different levels. I see this as a crucial asset for the drinking water and sanitation sector,” stated Director General Shrestha.
Initiatives Taken by Nepal for CWIS
In addition to creating training packages to enhance capacity for promoting CWIS, numerous other initiatives have been undertaken. ENPHO Program Manager Khaitu highlighted a range of activities, including awareness programs, support for policy formulation, and the preparation of detailed project reports (DPR) for the construction of fecal sludge treatment plants as part of technical assistance.
Technical Support: ENPHO has been providing technical assistance for the construction of fecal sludge treatment plants in various municipalities throughout the country as part of the “Sanitation Advocacy Project in South Asian Municipal Networks.” This initiative also encompasses the upgrading of existing treatment plants, the rehabilitation of non-functional fecal sludge treatment plants, and the incorporation of sanitation components into the planning and design of sanitation infrastructure.
Advocacy: Efforts have been made to advocate for CWIS through events such as the F.S.M. National Workshop 2019, Policy Dialogue 2022, and the National CWIS Conclave 2023. UN-Habitat Professional Officer Sudha Shrestha emphasizes that expanding advocacy in this field enhances knowledge and widens its reach within communities. This effort has led to the creation of videos, case studies, brochures, research reports, and focused media campaigns.
Support for Policy Formulation: Efforts to advance CWIS have also involved aiding policy development at both national and local levels. According to Shrestha, initiatives have been made to incorporate aspects of CWIS into drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene regulations under various projects funded by the BMGF. Activities related to the review of existing policies, the development of regulations regarding faecal sludge management at the municipal level, certification processes for sanitation service registration, and other policy-related actions have been implemented.
“We have also facilitated discussions at regional and national levels regarding faecal sludge management, including processes to license septic tank emptying service providers,” stated Shrestha.
These efforts have led to the functioning of over 19 faecal sludge treatment plants across the country, and CWIS has been integrated into the Drinking Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Act, with specific regulations for faecal sludge treatment enacted, Program Manager Khaitu noted.
Additionally, faecal sludge management and the construction of treatment plants have been incorporated into government periodic plans, policies, and budgets, with sanitation highlighted as a priority in multiple development areas.
Cross Border Learning Visits
To enhance practical understanding of CWIS, both national and international cross learning visits have been conducted. Mayors from municipalities, sub-metropolitan cities, and municipalities in Nepal have visited neighboring countries like Bangladesh and India to observe CWIS in action. These experiences have inspired them to introduce the concept within their own municipalities. “The visits have significantly motivated the mayors to initiate their efforts, supporting various capacity-building activities,” he remarked.
Way Forward
CWIS is an approach that ensures safe, equitable, and affordable sanitation services in response to the increasing sanitation challenges accompanying urbanization. Implementing this concept requires a clear understanding of the entire chain of sanitation systems. Stakeholders in this field must strengthen and unify their understanding.
Foundational elements for implementing the CWIS have been established but remain insufficient. While some municipalities have started to see positive results, accelerating progress is essential for broader impact. The faster the momentum increases, the more widespread the impact will be.
Various capacity-building training packages, under the CWIS concept, have been developed in collaboration with various organizations and have been approved by DWSSM. Using these standardized packages in CWIS-related training can ensure that knowledge and practices are consistent across organizations. With a shared approach, unified understanding will be achieved, facilitating smoother implementation across the board. If the CWIS approach is implemented through collaborative efforts, it will greatly propel the country toward achieving safe sanitation for all.
The concept of CWIS is closely linked to donor agencies. If these agencies align their programs exclusively with the CWIS concept, it can be effectively implemented at the local level, amplifying its impact further.
CWISAN is actively working to harness collective efforts in the realm of CWIS, with UN-Habitat serving as its secretariat. Various UN agencies, NGOs, INGOs, media outlets, private companies, and sanitation experts are associated with CWISAN.
It is essential to engage in thorough discussions advocating the principles of CWIS within the WASH sector, to unite voices for safe sanitation, and to foster collaboration among government bodies to promote this concept nationwide.
