Introduction

You have already learned that WASH situations in urban communities change over time for reasons such as continued urbanisation, population growth and changing lifestyles. You have also seen that stakeholders seek to improve the WASH situation through planning and implementing interventions and hence contribute to improvements in health and wellbeing.

There is one single key concept that all WASH stakeholders should aim to embed in their activities. That is, to ensure that their activities will always result in long term benefits to the environment and communities living in it. This study session will introduce to you what this sustainability means in practical terms.