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: Planning Solid Waste Management Systems
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note discusses planning and implementation of the activities involved in setting goals and establishing step-by-step procedures for solid waste management.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Maintaining Water Storage Tanks
U.S. Agency for International Development
The maintenance of water storage tanks is necessary to ensure the quality of the water stored. This technical note describes the maintenance of cisterns, ground level storage tanks, and elevated tanks.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater for the World: Operating and Maintaining a Composting System
U.S. Agency for International Development
A composting system is a means of turning garbage, animal manure, other organic wastes, and in some cases, excreta, into compost. This technical note describes how to operate and maintain a composting system.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater 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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