Guidelines on municipal wastewater management: a practical guide for decision-makers and professionals on how to plan, design, and finance appropriate and environmentally sound municipal wastewater discharge systems
In response to the daunting challenge faced by many governments in addressing municipal wastewater problems, the GPA has developed guidelines for municipal wastewater management, jointly with WHO, UN-Habitat, and WSSCC. The guidelines provide practical guidance on how to plan appropriate and environmentally sound municipal wastewater management systems. The guidelines are meant for decision-makers, operational professionals in government institutions, and in the private sector, development banks and related organizations. The guidelines focus on four elements: approaches and policies, institutional arrangements, technological choices, and financing options. Each element is supported by a practical checklist. The guidelines address and stress the need to link water supply and the provision of household sanitation, wastewater collection, treatment and re-use, cost-recovery, and re-allocation to the natural environment. Local participation is advocated and stepwise approach to technology and financing, starting at modest levels, expanding if and when more resources become available. The guidelines are summarized in 10 keys for action covering: political commitment; action at national and local level; going beyond taps and toilets; integrated management; long-term perspectives with step-by-step approaches; time-bound targets and indicators; appropriate technology; demand-driven approaches; stakeholder involvement; transparency; and financial stability and sustainability.