GWOPA is part of a new UN-Habitat project to improve sanitation services for people living in slums and informal settlements.
Over 700 million urban residents live without improved sanitation,
which comprises services that ensure human excreta are disposed of in a way that prevents them from causing disease by contaminating food and water sources. The lack of improved sanitation can have a serious effect on health and the environment.
With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UN-Habitat will advance Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) norms, which aim to ensure everyone benefits from safely managed sanitation. This is done by promoting a public service approach to extend and sustain inclusive sanitation services across urbanized service areas, drawing on the full range of available and appropriate technologies – including on-site and sewers, centralized or decentralized as appropriate – to meet service goals.
Strengthening Sanitation Data and Management
The project aims to improve the management of sanitation data by governments and service providers. This includes developing standardized methodologies to source, monitor and aggregate data on the quality and reach of sanitation services. This data will inform critical investment and service delivery decisions, particularly for informal settlements.
Supporting Global Sanitation Monitoring
The CWIS project contributes to the global effort to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for All). It bolsters the creation of technical guidelines, tools and training materials that promote the CWIS approach. Knowledge management products, such as case studies and technical notes, will also be developed to guide practitioners.
Integration of CWIS in National Policies
To ensure long-term impact, the project assists national and subnational governments in integrating CWIS principles into urban policies and sanitation programming. This integration helps to improve sanitation service delivery at scale across cities and regions.
Promoting Peer-to-Peer Knowledge Sharing
The Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) facilitates knowledge sharing and partnerships between sanitation service authorities. This collaboration, known as Sanitation Water Operators' Partnerships (SWOPs), helps promote CWIS principles and best practices, further advancing inclusive sanitation service delivery globally.
