Summary

In this Study Session, you have learned that:

• Sustainability is a concept used to ensure that activities result in long term positive impact on the environment and those who live in it.
  
• Sustainable WASH facilities and systems can provide adequate services to communities for long periods, without negative impact on the environment.
  
• Factors which critically affect sustainability of WASH services from the planning stage, through construction to post-construction or operation stages, include participatory planning, social inclusion, technology choice, site selection, quality assurance, operation/maintenance, governance and social accountability.
  
• Proper utilisation of WASH facilities may require behaviour change communication to ensure that desirable hygiene and sanitation practices are effectively adopted by the community.
  
• Financial sustainability is a key aspect of sustainability and requires full community ownership from the beginning.
  
• Lack of good governance and social accountability has a negative impact on technical and financial sustainability of WASH facilities and makes it impossible to achieve equity of service.