How water scarcity threatens India's sanitation strategy
Millions of toilets were constructed under the Swachh Bharat Mission to improve sanitation across India. On World Toilet Day, we discuss a critical aspect - availability of water - that can impact the long-term success of this sanitation revolution.
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Date
November 2024
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Area of expertiseHealth
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KeywordWater sanitation and hygiene [WASH]
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has made remarkable strides in improving sanitation across India, with millions of toilets constructed and widespread behaviour change initiatives implemented. As we celebrate these achievements, on World Toilet Day, Nov 19, it's crucial to address a worsening challenge that could impact the long-term success of this sanitation revolution: the availability of water. How can we ensure that the impressive gains in toilet coverage translate into sustained usage and improved public health outcomes?
The Swachh Bharat Mission: A decade of progress and persisting challenges
Since its launch in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission has transformed India's sanitation landscape. With over 100 million individual household latrines constructed, the initiative declared rural India open defecation free by October 2019. This monumental achievement, coupled with extensive behaviour change communication, set SBM apart from previous sanitation programmes.
However, recent research reveals a concerning trend: in areas with limited water access, particularly during summer months, many of these newly built toilets stand unused. The question we must ask is: What good is a toilet without water to keep it clean and functional?
Learnings from local and global experiences
Our studies in Bihar, a state in eastern India, conducted as part of the Improving H.A.B.I.T project supported by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation, uncovered a stark reality: inadequate water supply often leads people to revert to open defecation. The reasons are simple and obvious. Without sufficient water, toilets quickly become unsanitary, deterring use. In water-scarce areas, people often prefer open defecation to using unclean toilets.
Stanford University conducted a study in Zambia evaluating a school-based curricular project to assess its effectiveness in improving behaviour related to washing hands and toilet use. The curriculum includes a variety of engaging print materials (storybooks, comic books and flashcards), interactive activities (story mat, games), and educational videos designed specifically for young children. Based on the hypothesis that providing both WASH education and infrastructure operation and maintenance (O&M) will enhance behavior change to increase toilet use, they partnered with us in India to undertake the 'WASH in schools' study to assess this.
Given existing difficulties with maintaining WASH infrastructure in schools, we have implemented an O&M activity involving daily visits by a part-time Swachhata Saathi to ensure the cleanliness and functionality of WASH infrastructure in select primary schools. An important aspect of implementing this project involves ensuring the school has an adequate source of water. We implemented the study in 2022-2023 in around 200 primary schools in Sitapur district in Uttar Pradesh. Results will be published in 2025.
A call to action: Securing India's sanitation future
The Swachh Bharat Mission has undoubtedly been a watershed moment in India's development journey. However, to truly realise its vision of a clean and healthy India, we must recognise and address the critical role of water availability in sustaining these gains.
As we celebrate the progress made, let's also commit to tackling the water challenge head-on. This means advocating for integrated WASH policies at all levels of government, investing in sustainable water management infrastructure, empowering communities with knowledge and resources to maintain their sanitation facilities, and encouraging innovation in water-efficient sanitation technologies.
Our ongoing work with the South Asia Water Security Initiative, funded by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is a step in this direction. This project implements a Water Sensitive Cities approach, involving communities in nature-based interventions that enhance water security and resilience to climate-related events.
By focusing on sustainable water management alongside sanitation infrastructure in the Jal Jeevan Mission, we can build on the success of SBM and create lasting change in public health and quality of life across India. The question is no longer whether we can build toilets—it's whether we can ensure they remain usable for generations to come.
Now is the time to renew our commitment to this crucial cause. After all, the true measure of the Swachh Bharat Mission's success will be not just in the toilets we build, but in the lasting habits we create and the lives we improve.
About the author:
Dr. Ruhi Saith is a Senior Consultant in our Health practice. She works in Public Health, including broader determinants of health like nutrition and WASH. She has more than 20 years’ experience in the development sector, having worked on a range of health projects.