Post-2015 WASH targets and indicators: a review from a Human Rights Perspective

Informe tècnicPreprin

Improved monitoring framework for local planning in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector: From data to decision-making

Today, a vast proportion of people still lack a simple pit latrine and a source of safe drinking water. To help end this appalling state of affairs, there is a pressing need to provide policymakers with evidences in which base effective planning, targeting and prioritization. Two major challenges often hinder this process: i) lack of reliable data to identify which areas are most in need; and ii) inadequate instruments for decision-making support. In tackling previous shortcomings, this paper proposes a monitoring framework to compile, analyse, interpret and disseminate water, sanitation and hygiene information. In an era of decentralization, where decision-making moves to local governments, we apply such framework at the local level. The ultimate goal is to develop appropriate tools for decentralized planning support. To this end, the study first implements a methodology for primary data collection, which combines the household and the waterpoint as information sources. In doing so, we provide a complete picture of the context in which domestic WASH services are delivered. Second, the collected data are analysed to underline the emerging development challenges. The use of simple planning indicators serves as the basis to i) reveal which areas require policy attention, and to ii) identify the neediest. Third, a classification process is proposed to prioritize among various populations. Three different case studies from East and Southern African countries are presented. Results indicate that accurate and comprehensive data, if adequately exploited through simple instruments, may be the basis of effective targeting and prioritization, which are central to sector planning. The application of the proposed framework in the real world, however, is to a certain extent elusive; and we point out to conclude two specific challenges that remain unaddressed, namely the upgrade of existing decision-making processes to enhance transparency and inclusiveness, and the development of data updating mechanisms.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Improved monitoring framework for local planning in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector: From data to decision-making

Today, a vast proportion of people still lack a simple pit latrine and a source of safe drinking water. To help end this appalling state of affairs, there is a pressing need to provide policymakers with evidences in which base effective planning, targeting and prioritization. Two major challenges often hinder this process: i) lack of reliable data to identify which areas are most in need; and ii) inadequate instruments for decision-making support. In tackling previous shortcomings, this paper proposes a monitoring framework to compile, analyse, interpret and disseminate water, sanitation and hygiene information. In an era of decentralization, where decision-making moves to local governments, we apply such framework at the local level. The ultimate goal is to develop appropriate tools for decentralized planning support. To this end, the study first implements a methodology for primary data collection, which combines the household and the waterpoint as information sources. In doing so, we provide a complete picture of the context in which domestic WASH services are delivered. Second, the collected data are analysed to underline the emerging development challenges. The use of simple planning indicators serves as the basis to i) reveal which areas require policy attention, and to ii) identify the neediest. Third, a classification process is proposed to prioritize among various populations. Three different case studies from East and Southern African countries are presented. Results indicate that accurate and comprehensive data, if adequately exploited through simple instruments, may be the basis of effective targeting and prioritization, which are central to sector planning. The application of the proposed framework in the real world, however, is to a certain extent elusive; and we point out to conclude two specific challenges that remain unaddressed, namely the upgrade of existing decision-making processes to enhance transparency and inclusiveness, and the development of data updating mechanisms.Peer Reviewe

Piloting new indicators and methodologies to measure the human right to water in rural Nicaragua

There is a growing interest internationally to recalibrate the monitoring framework used to measure access to basic water services. There are drives to move on from the current technological and binary approach (improved - vs. - unimproved water supply technologies). Several initiatives have been applied to support the processes of resource allocation, targeting and prioriti s ation in development policies. These approaches consider the level of service delivered by taking into account aspects such as water quality, quantity, and continuity. The recognition of the human right to water and sanitation is a milestone that should contribute to the evolution of this work in progress. It brings in other issues such as affordability, physical accessibility and acceptability. To incorporate all these human rights criteria in monitoring initiatives is undoubtedly a complex task. It involves the definition of new indicators, design of field data collection methodol ogies, statistical analysis of collected data, and use of information generated in policy formation and decision - making. The research presented in this paper has tried to tackle this emerging challenge. It has developed and piloted indicators that measure access to water from a human rights perspective. The proposed indicators have been applied to two different groups within communities in northern Nicaragua: people using a water system managed by a rural water committee against those vulnerable groups char acteri s ed by self - provision. The research concludes that data needs to be well analysed , information needs to be adequately post - processed, aggregated and disseminated to promote its use in decision - making.Peer Reviewe

Piloting new indicators and methodologies to measure the human right to water in rural Nicaragua

There is a growing interest internationally to recalibrate the monitoring framework used to measure access to basic water services. There are drives to move on from the current technological and binary approach (improved - vs. - unimproved water supply technologies). Several initiatives have been applied to support the processes of resource allocation, targeting and prioriti s ation in development policies. These approaches consider the level of service delivered by taking into account aspects such as water quality, quantity, and continuity. The recognition of the human right to water and sanitation is a milestone that should contribute to the evolution of this work in progress. It brings in other issues such as affordability, physical accessibility and acceptability. To incorporate all these human rights criteria in monitoring initiatives is undoubtedly a complex task. It involves the definition of new indicators, design of field data collection methodol ogies, statistical analysis of collected data, and use of information generated in policy formation and decision - making. The research presented in this paper has tried to tackle this emerging challenge. It has developed and piloted indicators that measure access to water from a human rights perspective. The proposed indicators have been applied to two different groups within communities in northern Nicaragua: people using a water system managed by a rural water committee against those vulnerable groups char acteri s ed by self - provision. The research concludes that data needs to be well analysed , information needs to be adequately post - processed, aggregated and disseminated to promote its use in decision - making.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Piloting new indicators and methodologies to measure the human right to water in rural Nicaragua

There is a growing interest internationally to recalibrate the monitoring framework used to measure access to basic water services. There are drives to move on from the current technological and binary approach (improved - vs. - unimproved water supply technologies). Several initiatives have been applied to support the processes of resource allocation, targeting and prioriti s ation in development policies. These approaches consider the level of service delivered by taking into account aspects such as water quality, quantity, and continuity. The recognition of the human right to water and sanitation is a milestone that should contribute to the evolution of this work in progress. It brings in other issues such as affordability, physical accessibility and acceptability. To incorporate all these human rights criteria in monitoring initiatives is undoubtedly a complex task. It involves the definition of new indicators, design of field data collection methodol ogies, statistical analysis of collected data, and use of information generated in policy formation and decision - making. The research presented in this paper has tried to tackle this emerging challenge. It has developed and piloted indicators that measure access to water from a human rights perspective. The proposed indicators have been applied to two different groups within communities in northern Nicaragua: people using a water system managed by a rural water committee against those vulnerable groups char acteri s ed by self - provision. The research concludes that data needs to be well analysed , information needs to be adequately post - processed, aggregated and disseminated to promote its use in decision - making.Peer Reviewe

Post-2015 WASH targets and indicators: a review from a Human Rights Perspective

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The integrity management toolbox in action: a study of 22 urban water service cases

Water integrity refers to the ethical, professional, and transparent use of power and resources to ensure the sustainable and equitable provision of water services. The Integrity Management (IM) Toolbox is a tool that has been adopted to initiate IM reforms within water utilities. This paper reviews the application of the IM Toolbox application in 22 urban utilities across 7 countries from 2013 to 2018, focusing on integrity risks, selected tools, and the success and challenges faced by these utilities. Common integrity risks were identified in Operations and Consumer Relations, and corresponding tools were employed in Human Resources and Consumer Relations. Within 1 year, over two-thirds of the utilities implemented 70% or more of their action plans, indicating positive progress. However, obstacles such as staff rotation and reliance on internal champions provide obstacles to continued implementation. Despite challenges, certain utilities demonstrated notable medium-term improvements. To further advance water integrity, integrating the IM Toolbox with other utility-level efficiency processes is recommended. Additionally, supporting sectoral regulatory measures can contribute to overall integrity enhancement. By effectively addressing integrity risks and adopting comprehensive approaches, water utilities can enhance their ability to provide safe and sustainable water services, while promoting transparency and equity. HIGHLIGHTS Scope: The paper reviews integrity management methodology in 22 utilities across Albania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Kenya, and Laos.; Identified risks: Operations and Consumer Relations have the most integrity risks.; Mitigation strategies: Human Resources and Consumer Relations instruments used.; Obstacles: Staff rotation & internal champions' dependency hinders methodology implementation.

SIASAR databases: Nicaragua (Baseline), Honduras, Panama and Dominican Republic (last accessed: December 21, 2016)

Databases contain the rural water and sanitation data collected and approved by SIASAR community. All data is available at www.siasar.org (last accessed: December 21, 2016) Each country's database contains four files *csv: i) The Water System ("_SIS") contains data related to the water infrastructure; ii) The Service Provision ("_PSE") contains data related to the water service provider; iii) The Community ("_COM") contains general data of the community and specific data related to the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services. iv) The System - Provider - Community ("_SISCOMPSE") contains data needed to link the water system, the service provider and the community. These files are prepared to be exploited in the construction of SIASAR composite indicators v1, as described in http://hdl.handle.net/2117/7758