Empty Buckets and Overflowing Pits: Urban Water and Sanitation Reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa - Acknowledging Decline, Preparing for the Unprecedented Wave of Demand

This book provides a multi-level and multi-dimensional insight into urban water and sanitation development by analyzing sector reforms in Africa. It elaborates a pressing topic that is directly linked to the precarious living conditions of the urban poor in developing countries. It argues for a sweeping rethinking and combines extended local knowledge, lessons learned from history, and thorough research on reforms in Francophone and Anglophone developing countries. The reader has the opportunity to obtain a comprehensive understanding of how the sector works and sector institutions in low-income countries function, and to discover the reasons behind success and failures of reforms. It also covers issues that have a significant influence on urban water and sanitation development but are hardly the subject of discussions, making it different from other literature about urban water and sanitation in the developing world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 285 pages
Publication date: 26 August 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate realm of urban water and sanitation development, offering a multi-level and multi-dimensional perspective by examining sector reforms across Africa. In the backdrop of recent events such as water shortages in Cape Town, widespread cholera outbreaks in Haiti, and the mass migration of individuals from low-income countries, the book sheds light on a pressing issue that directly impacts the precarious living conditions of urban poor individuals in developing nations. It is of utmost importance to acknowledge the valuable findings and recommendations presented within the book, as they hold the potential to significantly improve the situation of potential refugees in their home countries, while also envisioning a realistic path toward the development of the most fundamental life-supporting services.

Over the years, numerous endeavors to reverse the negative trend in water and sanitation development have fallen short, with targets being repeatedly missed, often without significant consequences for decision-makers at various levels and institutions. This has resulted in unnecessary loss of young lives, perpetuated poverty for billions of people, and fostered discrimination against women. The knowledge gap and confusion within the sector are evident when a national leader in a low-income country declares a state of emergency in urban water and sanitation, while global monitoring agencies publish access figures indicating over 90% access to urban water in the same country. It is high time to address this issue through an effective sector development concept for our partner countries and a more realistic discourse at the global level.

The book advocates for a radical rethinking of the current approaches and draws upon extensive local knowledge, lessons learned from history in advanced countries, and thorough research on reforms in Francophone and Anglophone developing countries. This unique perspective was made possible due to the writer's extensive work in Sub-Saharan Africa. By amalgamating these diverse sources of information, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing urban water and sanitation development in the region.

One of the key arguments presented in the book is the need for a holistic and integrated approach to sector development. It emphasizes the importance of considering the social, economic, and environmental aspects of water and sanitation services, recognizing that these services are not merely technical solutions but are deeply intertwined with the lives and well-being of communities. The book advocates for a participatory and inclusive approach, involving all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society
society, private sector, and communities themselves, in the planning, implementation, and management of water and sanitation services.

Furthermore, the book highlights the significance of leveraging technology and innovation to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban water and sanitation systems. It emphasizes the importance of adopting modern technologies such as smart metering, water treatment plants, and waste management systems to reduce water loss, improve water quality, and promote resource conservation. The book also recognizes the role of policy and regulation in shaping the development of urban water and sanitation services. It advocates for the development of effective policies and regulations that promote equity, sustainability, and resilience, while also ensuring the protection of human rights and the environment.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the field of urban water and sanitation development. By providing a multi-level and multi-dimensional perspective, it sheds light on the complex challenges and opportunities facing urban areas in developing nations. The book's findings and recommendations are timely and relevant, particularly in the context of recent global events that have highlighted the urgent need for sustainable and equitable solutions to water and sanitation crises. By advocating for a holistic and integrated approach, leveraging technology and innovation, and promoting effective policy and regulation, the book provides a roadmap for improving the situation of urban poor individuals and fostering sustainable development in the world's cities.

Weight: 474g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030313852
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020