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.

This brief highlights key considerations for policymakers in expanding water and sanitation services for rapidly growing cities:

1. Match water and sanitation technologies to density and capacity. Networked systems deliver the greatest benefits in dense cities, while decentralised solutions can provide cost-effective services where infrastructure and institutional capacity are limited.
2. Governments must ensure access, affordability and service quality while allowing flexible service delivery. Services may be delivered by public utilities, private operators, or regulated informal providers, but governments must oversee outcomes.  
3. Financing requires funding infrastructure, connections and maintenance together. Sustainable systems require funding for large infrastructure investments, household connections, and ongoing operation and maintenance costs.
4. Strong institutions and supportive behaviours ensure infrastructure delivers results. Effective regulation, coordination across agencies, and behavioural interventions are essential to translate investments into improved health and environmental outcomes.