Choice of sanitation technologies

In many countries the approach to the provision of sanitation to those not served by a waterborne system is that one technology fits all. The problems that are experienced with this approach is that it frequently does not cater to the aspirations of the sections of the population that desire a more convenient level of service and can set the entry level of sanitation too high so that the section of the population most at risk is unable too attain it. This has resulted in low levels of coverage (30% in Zimbabwe and Lesotho 50% after 20 years). It is argued that improvements in sanitation can only be achieved by changing people’s behaviour. Behaviour change is only achieved if people are given a series of small attainable goals which lead to constant improvement. South Africa has just commenced with its sanitation programme. By giving people a choice of technologies and utilising Participatory Health and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) methodology it is hoped that South Africa will be able to achieve the above goals. The paper will set out the framework which is being put in place to achieve this and suggest ways in which an incremental approach to sanitation can be implemented.