Sustainability
According to Global Water Challenge, sustainability is one of the most pressing issues facing the WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) sector today. More than 30 percent of WASH projects fail after two to five years. Resources available to help address this challenge include guidance on operations and maintenance approaches, tools to estimate long-term costs, and other resources to support sustainability.
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Sustainability Resources
Water for the World: Operating and Maintaining a Biogas System
U.S. Agency for International Development
A biogas system is a means of digesting animal manure anaerobically to produce methane gas which is burned to provide heat or light. This technical note describes how to operating and maintain a biogas system.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Operating and Maintaining Bucket Latrines
U.S. Agency for International Development
Maintaining a bucket latrine is necessary to prevent fly-breeding and to avoid possible health hazards due to contamination from excreta. This manual provides a guide to operating and maintaining bucket latrines.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Constructing, Operating and Maintaining Cesspools
U.S. Agency for International Development
A cesspool is a covered pit with open-joint walls that receives piped sewage. The solids settle to the bottom and the effluent passes through the walls into the surrounding soil. This technical note describes how to construct a cesspool.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Methods of Combined Washwater and Excreta Disposal
U.S. Agency for International Development
Combining excreta and washwater disposal in a single system is an efficient and safe method of disposal that prevents the spread of disease. This manual provides a comprehensive guide to the types of combined disposal and effective methods.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Constructing, Operating and Maintaining Subsurface Absorption Systems
U.S. Agency for International Development
A subsurface absorption system is a trench, series of trenches, field or pit that receives effluent from a septic tank and allows it to soak safely into the ground. This technical note describes each step in constructing an absorption system.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Operating and Maintaining Aqua Privies
U.S. Agency for International Development
An aqua privy is an underground watertight vault filled with water that receives excreta and washwater from a drop-pipe, allows solids to settle to the bottom, and discharges effluent to a soakage pit. This technical note describes how to operate and maintain an aqua privy.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Constructing, Operating and Maintaining Sumps, Soakage Pits, and Soakage Trenches.
U.S. Agency for International Development
Sumps, soakage pits, and soakage trenches receive washwater or effluent from an aqua privy and allow it to soak safely into the ground. This technical manual provides step-by-step instructions for constructing, operating and maintaining sumps, soakage pits, and soakage trenches.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Constructing, Operating and Maintaining Non-Conventional Absorption Systems
U.S. Agency for International Development
Non-conventional absorption disposal systems have been developed for soil conditions where absorption is slow and slight, or where ground water is close to the ground surface. This technical note describes the elements involved in constructing and maintaining non-conventional systems.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Operating and Maintaining Compost Toilets
U.S. Agency for International Development
Maintaining a compost toilet involves keeping it clean and periodically changing vaults and removing compost. Maintaining a compost toilet requires monthly inspection and repair damage. This manual provides a guide to correctly using compost toilets and effectively operating and maintaining them.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Operating a Solid Waste Collection System
U.S. Agency for International Development
Operating a solid waste collection system involves removing solid waste from houses, yards, marketplaces, factories or public building and transporting it to a landfill, composting area or biogas plant. This technical note describes how to operate and maintain three types of solid waste management...Read more
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