Executive summary

Sanitation and wastewater management are core to the health and wellbeing of individuals, cities, societies and whole environmental ecosystems. But halfway through the SDG era, and despite being a public good, sanitation continues to lag behind. Governments and intergovernmental organizations still lack critical data on the status of wastewater and faecal sludge treatment, both globally and at the country level. There is a need for greater clarity, and better guidance, on what a public service approach to sanitation involves in practice. There are many cities across regions taking effective measures to improve sanitation — but guidance is needed to make universal access a reality.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Good Health and Well-Being

Clean Water and Sanitation