Why it Matters
Around the world, sanitation infrastructure is in urgent need of a drastic overhaul. Largely unchanged since the 1850’s, sanitation systems are struggling to meet the needs of modern communities. More people, more industry, larger cities, shrinking supply of natural resources and climate change (!) - conventional approaches are falling short.
Consequences are dire and far-reaching, undermining progress particularly for our most vulnerable communities, particularly women and girls.
33%
Waste Treated in major cities in asia and Africa
432K
annual premature deaths
$223B
global annual economic impact
Need for Sustainable Sanitation
Looming threats of climate change increase the urgency for new solutions as sanitation is BOTH contributes to and deeply affected by climate change.
Communities experiencing increased risks of flooding, sea-level rise and water scarcity are most vulnerable. Flooding caused by heavy precipitation or increased sea-levels can cause direct damage to infrastructure. Conversely, drought conditions impacts sewer systems as they rely on adequate water supplies to transport waste through the pipes to the centralized treatment system.
Sanitation systems are a significant source of greenhouse-gas emissions (GHG) created directly during the treatment process and decomposition of untreated waste, and indirectly through the high energy required to operate the infrastructure.