Learning Repository

Toward the Establishment of Sustainable Faecal Sludge Management - Lessons Learned from WEPA Partner Countries and Japan

Publication

This Policy Brief has been developed with the aim of: (i) investigating the existing situation and challenges on faecal sludge management in WEPA countries; (ii) identifying enabling factors for introducing and implementing appropriate business models for sustainable faecal sludge management, through selected case studies in WEPA countries; and (iii) initiating discussions on how lessons learned from Japan’s experiences in using Johkasou systems for human waste and faecal sludge management can be introduced to improve the situation in WEPA partner countries.

Towards Systemic Change in Urban Sanitation

Publication

This working paper outlines a 'whole-system approach' to urban sanitation by shifting the focus from building infrastructure or a project-driven implementation approach to providing and maintaining equitable and environmentally friendly services, championed and supported by the government and with sufficient resources allocated to ensure sustainability. The paper uses a step by-step approach to unravel and tackle the very complex circumstances surrounding the need for sanitation in urban areas, particularly in densely populated areas and to the less affluent sectors of society.

TracWater

Technology

Self-powered multi-sensor robots for physical and chemical water quality measurements in real-time to monitor pipelines and water sources for utilities.

UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) Data Portal

Tool

GLAAS provides policy- and decision-makers at all levels with reliable, easily accessible, comprehensive data on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems, including on governance, monitoring, human resources and finance. GLAAS monitors elements of WASH systems that are required to sustain and extend WASH services and systems to all, and especially to the most vulnerable population groups.

Urban Domestic Wastewater Management in Vietnam - Challenges and Opportunities

Publication

Urban wadis

Technology

Urban wadis 2.0 is a small scale urban nature-based solutions (for flood, drought, heatstress and waterquality) that you can find on the open source ClimateScan.org database with over 14.000 global climate adaptation projects.

Urban WaterGuide: A guide for building sustainable and resilient cities

Publication

The Australian Government, Australian Water Partnership and the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities partnered to develop a framework to improve water outcomes in international cities and towns, based on Australia’s urban water experience. The result is the Urban WaterGuide, which covers water supply, sanitation, drainage, flooding, waterways and urban liveability, with a cross-cutting focus on gender equality and inclusion. The Guide helps decision makers who are responsible for water supply, sanitation, drainage, flood management and managing natural water bodies in cities and towns, by outlining a set of steps that can be adapted to any geography, and can be used at multiple scales.

Utility Management Simulation Game

Tool

The Utility Management Simulation Game (UMSG) has been designed as a learning tool to develop awareness and knowledge of the processes of strategic planning within utilities.

Valuing Water: The Australian Perspective. Cultural values of water in the Murray-Darling Basin

Publication

This is one in a series of four reports that examine how the diverse values placed on water have shaped the development and management of water resources in the Murray Darling River Basin.

The report tells a story of how Australia’s First Nations communities and their cultural values are included in the management of water in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin. It explores themes regarding the recognition or identification of First Nations water values, how these values are considered in decision making, and the protection of these values. Connection to land and waters is fundamental to the cultural values of First Nations people and there is increasing progress in recognising and involving First Nations in restoring sustainable management as Australia continues its journey of dealing with increasing water demands in a highly variable and changing climate. However, only in recent decades has there been a move towards legal and moral recognition of ownership of the lands and waters occupied by its many nations before the colonisation of Australia from 1788.

The report looks at the inclusion of First Nations values and perspectives in water management across the Basin through various statutory mechanisms, tailored engagement processes and mainstream community engagement activities. The case study concludes with some general lessons about efforts in the Murray-Darling River Basin to recognise, assess and realise Indigenous cultural values associated with water that may be useful for others.

Valuing Water: The Australian Perspective. Economic values of water under scarcity in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Publication

This is one in a series of four reports that examine how the diverse values placed on water have shaped the development and management of water resources in the Murray Darling River Basin. The report explores how changing values have affected the management of scarce water resources in the Murray-Darling River Basin.

Four main phases in water management are described, together with an exploration of how changing perceptions of value have shaped policy, objectives and outcomes over time.

This report shows how water management can be adjusted in response to changes in our understanding of value and how this understanding can lead to more transparent valuation processes. Although water policies in the Basin have supported an open and flexible economy, and resilient and adaptive businesses, significant challenges remain in the management of its environmental and cultural values.