Attachments
Introduction
Background and rationale: the need to strengthen sanitation regulation
Safe water and sanitation are essential for human health and well-being, and are recognized as human rights (1). Effective regulation of drinking-water and sanitation services plays an important role in ensuring the delivery of safe, inclusive and sustainable services that are protective of public health. However, regulatory frameworks for drinking-water and sanitation services are at varying stages of maturity globally, and significant challenges exist (2).
The need to strengthen sanitation regulation is particularly urgent, as shown in the UN-Water Global analysis and assessment of sanitation and drinking-water (GLAAS) 2022 report (the 2022 GLAAS report) (3). Survey findings from the GLAAS report, which compiles data from 121 countries and territories as well as 23 external support agencies, show that regulation for sanitation is weaker overall than for drinking water. Less than one third of countries reported that most “key regulatory functions” for sanitation – i.e. collecting data, publishing reports, recommending planning and actions, and enforcing the implementation of recommendations – are fully performed in rural and urban areas (see Box 1).
The causes of the regulatory deficit for sanitation will vary by country (for example, lack of maturity of sanitation regulation may reflect gaps in policies and mandates, or lack of political and societal expectations for the public provision of sanitation services). Regardless of the cause, the deficit can be expected to have huge negative impacts on: sanitation service access; service quality and financing; the environment; and public health. Without effective regulation, mandated authorities cannot be held accountable for the sanitation services they provide; and citizens and ecosystems lack protection from public health and environmental risks posed by inadequate treatment (4).
Document purpose
This Roadmap responds to the urgent need to strengthen sanitation regulation demonstrated by the GLAAS findings. Although various sector documents that explore sanitation regulation exist, there is a need for step-by-step guidance, duly caveated, to support countries in identifying priority actions. The Roadmap aims to bridge this knowledge gap, providing countries with guidance on the key actions required as they chart their own way forward. The Roadmap also aims to inspire replication of best-fit practice, deriving shared principles from the growing number of countries globally that are driving meaningful regulatory reforms.
The Roadmap concept draws inspiration from the work of member countries of the Eastern and Southern African Water and Sanitation (ESAWAS) Regulators Association in particular, who have made significant progress towards advancing regulation in low-income contexts; but the Roadmap is global in scope. Each step in the Roadmap is supported by country-level case studies from across income categories (low-, middle- and high-income countries) and across regions. The case studies are included to ground the guidance in practical examples; and to showcase the wide range of inspiring regulatory initiatives now being driven by countries around the world.