Challenge. Less than half of all Asians have access to sanitation, a lower percentage than in any other region in the world. Inadequate sanitation in densely populated urban areas leads to increased water-related infections and parasitic diseases. Among the urban poor, who are most vulnerable, awareness of the need for sanitation is rela¬tively low, especially among men. Moreover, lack of sanitation is a public health crisis that has direct costs in lost wages, revenues and opportunities. In the Philippines alone, this economic loss is estimated at US$1.3 billion per year.
Most Asian cities are, however, not investing in conventional cen¬tral¬ized sewerage systems, due to high investment costs, challenges in construction and operations, and limited access to a reliable supply of piped water. More and more, urban populations and local governments are developing decentralized treatment systems that apply appropriate, low-cost technologies tailored to community resources and needs.
ECO-Asia Response. ECO-Asia partners with cities and local communities to demonstrate sustainable decentralized and low-cost sanitation solutions that provide long-term safeguards for public health and protect the environment. For all projects, ECO-Asia employs a participatory approach (see box in sidebar) that mobilizes local decision-makers and other stakeholders in identifying priority sanitation challenges, and solutions. The ECO-Asia planning process not only ensures community commitment, but also helps build stakeholder capacity and awareness of health risks and promotes better hygiene.
All ECO-Asia pilot projects demonstrate sustainable solutions that ensure full-cost recovery for construction, debt servicing and operations. ECO-Asia provides information or technical assistance on financing strategies, or facilitates access to finance.
In addition, ECO-Asia works with civil society groups to implement social marketing campaigns that focus on increasing demand for sanitation services and increasing citizen willingness to pay. ECO-Asia also works with communities to modify behavior via hand washing campaigns for schoolchildren.
Pilot Activities. Based on participatory planning outputs, ECO-Asia works with cities and communities to pilot innovative sanitation solutions that leverage local funds and expertise. Systems employ low-cost technologies or innovative approaches that address specific community sanitation challenges. In developing these systems, ECO-Asia also facilitates access to best practices in the region, including structuring “twinning” arrangements where counterparts engage in sustained cooperative exchanges.
Marikina City, Philippines. ECO-Asia works with Marikina City to develop a low-cost interceptor sewer and waste-water treatment system that addresses septic tank effluent and storm water, and will serve 65,000 people. ECO-Asia has facilitated involvement of Manila Water Company, which will provide up to $400,000 to fund system design and construction. In addition, ECO-Asia assists Marikina City in establishing a comprehensive septic tank cleaning service for over 90,000 households, or an estimated 460,000 people. To strengthen both initiatives, ECO-Asia assists with integrated hand-washing and awareness-raising campaigns.
San Fernando City, Philippines. In San Fernando City, government officials and key stakeholders identified the public market as their top sanitation hotspot. Through a collaborative decision-making process and technical inputs and guidance from ECO-Asia, San Fernando City has mobilized city funds to design and construct a low-cost wastewater treatment system that will impact over 5,000 people. ECO-Asia also supports development and implementation of integrated hand-washing and awareness-raising campaigns.
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. To support the Municipal Council in achieving its stated vision of making Nuwara Eliya “the most beautiful and environmentally friendly city in Sri Lanka for everyone's admiration”, ECO-Asia is assisting the city addressing a top pollution hot spot, and in city practices on septage management. In particular, ECO-Asia works with the Municipal Council to develop a low-cost wastewater treatment system for over 300 residential homes. ECO-Asia also assists in strengthening the city’s septage treatment facility and septic tank desludging practices, including developing a new municipal ordinance based in part on experience from the Philippines. As a result, more than 20,000 residents will receive improved sanitation services.
Halong City, Vietnam. ECO-Asia is working with Halong City and BORDA to develop a low-cost Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) system to address wastewater from slaughterhouse. By subsidizing this innovative on-site treatment facility, Halong City, which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is demonstrating its commitment to protecting Halong Bay, and providing a model for Vietnam and the region. The system also includes a waste-to-energy component that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Regional Cooperation. ECO-Asia also facilitates regional dialogue and promotes sharing of lessons learned among partners, including development of toolkits and support for regional workshops. ECO-Asia also disseminates results through regional networks and supports peer-to-peer sharing of experiences and learned lessons during site visits and roundtable discussions.
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