Worldwide, over 1.7 billion people still lack access to basic sanitation services, such as toilets or latrines. This creates enormous health risks: an estimated 432,000 people die each year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor sanitation, and poor sanitation costs the global economy $260 billion per year in lost productivity, costs that are disproportionately borne by poorer communities, which is where sanitation systems tend to be inadequate and prone to failure.
While all governments acknowledge the need for sanitation, not all of them have the funds and resources needed to undertake a large sanitation programme. Moreover, sanitation isn’t a one-time fix. Even with the super successful Swachh Bharat Mission, the construction of toilets for every Indian is just phase 1 of the overall program. These toilets now need to be maintained, behavioural change communication needs to be undertaken, and new habits need to be inculcated to create a new normal where every Indian uses a toilet, does so safely, and takes responsibility for maintenance and upkeep.
Despite the GoI’s best efforts, there are bound to be gaps and challenges that need more funds, resources, expertise and time to be addressed. This is where Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can help by bridging the needs gap.
Public-Private Partnerships as a Strategic Solution
PPPs are contractual arrangements between public authorities and private entities to deliver public services. Each entity brings its own strengths to the table, enriching the programme overall by playing to these strengths.
The government’s strength lies in its authority: it can set regulations and policies, help streamline approvals and approval processes, allocate necessary permits and address legal and bureaucratic challenges. It can also mobilise substantial financial resources not just from the national budget but from international funding agencies as well. Most importantly, in the context of sanitation, it has the power to acquire land for projects.
For corporations, especially those in the construction and engineering sectors, their strengths lie in technical expertise. They have the knowledge to design and implement complex infrastructure projects efficiently, and they often have experience in managing large-scale projects. This means that they can ensure better adherence to timelines, optimal resource use, and keep to the budget. They too can bring in significant investments and access to advanced technologies, enabling the adoption of innovative solutions. And since they are driven by profit motives, corporations bring with them a much stronger focus on operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality implementation.
NGOs’ biggest strength lies in their connections to local communities. They can facilitate communication between the government, corporations, and the communities affected by the infrastructure project. They also typically advocate for social and environmental sustainability, as well as the well-being of local communities. Moreover, NGOs can act as watchdogs, monitoring the project’s progress and holding the government and corporations accountable for adhering to ethical practices and commitments.
As with any large project team, for government agencies, corporations and NGOs to work well together, it requires effective communication, transparent decision-making processes, and a shared vision for the project.
Successful Models of PPPs in Sanitation
There are several examples of successful PPPs in sanitation that have been implemented in India, covering different aspects such as toilet construction, operation and maintenance, faecal sludge management, wastewater treatment, etc. For instance, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) partnered with Saraplast Pvt Ltd, a private company that manufactures portable toilets under the brand name 3S Shramik, to provide public toilets in slums and other underserved areas. The PMC provided land, water supply and electricity connections for the toilets, while Saraplast provided the toilet units, operation and maintenance services, and revenue collection from users. The toilets are equipped with bio-digesters that convert human waste into biogas, which is used for lighting and cooking. The toilets also have facilities such as handwashing stations, sanitary napkin dispensers, etc.
Another great example is the Tiruchirappalli City Corporation (TCC) partnership with Gramalaya Urban And Rural Development Initiatives And Network (GUARDIAN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works on water and sanitation issues, to provide community toilets in low-income settlements. The TCC provided land, water supply and sewerage connections for the toilets, while GUARDIAN provided the toilet design, construction supervision, operation and maintenance services, and community mobilisation. The toilets are designed with child-friendly features. A study conducted by WaterAid India showed that the impact of the initiative on the health of the community was dramatic with incidences of diarrhoea among children falling from 73% to 10% and among adults from 10% to 2%.
When it comes to behavioural change communication however, the GoI has a vocal partner in the form of Harpic: India’s leading brand in the lavatory care segment. Harpic has vocally championed the cause of toilet hygiene for decades now, through innovative and thought provoking campaigns and outreach programs. Harpic, together with News18, also created the Mission Swachhta aur Paani initiative 3 years ago. It is a movement that upholds the cause of inclusive sanitation where everyone has access to clean toilets. Mission Swachhta aur Paani advocates equality for all genders, abilities, castes and classes and strongly believes that clean toilets are a shared responsibility.
Harpic also started the World Toilet Colleges in 2016 with the two-pronged aim of creating a ready supply of well-trained sanitation specialists, and creating dignity and safety for sanitation workers through education. These empowered sanitation workers make exceptional ambassadors of change in their own communities, and in the communities they serve; often helping users who may be too embarrassed to ask questions elsewhere.
Under the aegis of Mission Swachhta aur Paani, Harpic has also reached out 17.5 million children across the nation via their partnership with Sesame Workshop India to promote positive sanitation, hygiene knowledge and toilet behaviours among children and families through schools and communities.
Moreover, through Mission Swachhta aur Paani, Harpic is creating a platform for the right stakeholders to come together to ideate and explore creative solutions to our problems today. It is also creating a repository of articles, videos, and knowledge artefacts that help changemakers find the information they need to bring their own projects to fruition.
Sanitation affects all of us. So shouldn’t all of us be a part of the solution? Join us here, and be a part of the national transformation that is making us a Swasth and Swachh Bharat.
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