Policy options for expanding urban water and sanitation
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems are fundamental to healthy and productive cities. Yet as urban populations grow rapidly, many cities struggle to expand and maintain safe water and sanitation services.
Poor WASH infrastructure increases exposure to infectious disease, reduces labour productivity, and imposes disproportionate costs on low-income households.
Authors
Victoria Delbridge
Head of Cities that Work Initiative, International Growth Centre
Michael Blake
Researcher
Yoshiki Wiskamp
PhD Student, Economics, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Ignacio Banares Sanchez
PhD Candidate in Economics, Department of Economics, London School of Economics and Political Science-
Policy_options_for_expanding_urban_water_sanitation_XXX-24208.pdf
PDF document • 260.8 KB
Despite the high returns to investment, infrastructure alone is not enough. Effective WASH systems depend on a combination of appropriate technologies, strong public oversight of providers, sustainable financing, and institutions that support adoption and coordination.
This policy brief outlines four key principles to help governments expand safe and affordable water and sanitation services in rapidly growing cities.