Assessment of Technology Options
Naomi Radke, seecon international GmbH
Assessment of Technology Options
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Assessment of Technology Options
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Contents
1. Introduction
2. Step 1: Identification of Sanitation Alternatives
1. Substep 1: Understanding and shortening the list of possible
options
3. Step 2: Participatory Decision Making Process
1. Substep 1: First participatory analysis
2. Substep 2: System exposure
3. Substep 3: Comparison of alternatives
4. Substep 4: Final decision making process
4. References
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1. Introduction
Deciding on a technology within a community
The right decision on a suitable sanitation system is a key step towards
sustainable sanitation. This decision approach takes into account:
• Technical issues (e.g. suitable systems with regard to the
settlement conditions)
• Non-technical issues ( e.g. stakeholder preferences, financial and
human capacity)
Information previously required:
• Settlement conditions
• Existing sanitation situation
• User priorities
• Financial and human capacity available
Also non-technical aspects such as socio-cultural
preferences have to be taken into account.
Source: WSP (2007)
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2. Identification of Sanitation Alternatives
Understanding and shortening the list of possible options (1/3)
A sanitation system is a configuration of different technology
components that carry out different processes along the waste flow.
Technology components along the
waste (product) flow.
Source: NETSSAF (2008)
While there is a large range of technology options, in practice the
choice of adequate options is limited by
1) existing infrastructure and
2) physical characteristics of the site
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2. Identification of Sanitation Alternatives
Understanding and shortening the list of possible options (2/3)
To further narrow down the list of possible options, the following
criteria should be taken into account for a holistic approach:
• Health
• Environment and Resources
• Technology and Operation
• Finance and Economy
• Society, Culture and Gender
Along these criteria, a technology can be rated and compared to other
physically possible technologies. A list of evaluation factors for each
criteria can be found in ZURBRUEGG and TILLEY (2007) (see reference
list at the end of the presentation).
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2. Identification of Sanitation Alternatives
Understanding and shortening the list of possible options (3/3)
Product of this step:
A short list of feasible sanitation options given the local context (social,
financial, environmental) and compared along each criterion.
Settlement conditions, existing sanitation situation and user priorities
should have been previously assessed.
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3. Participatory Decision Making Process
1. First Participatory Analysis (1/2)
Stakeholders can ask questions, discuss, propose
modifications to the systems shortlisted by experts
in the previous step.
Systems should be adapted according to the users’
priorities and capabilities (financial situation and
ability of work for maintenance).
Systems shall then be ranked for each criterion
(see criteria in Step 1: Identification of Sanitation
Alternatives).
Source: NETSSAF (2008)
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3. Participatory Decision Making Process
1. First Participatory Analysis (2/2)
Information needed to make a decision:
• Baseline data of the project area
• Description of the system options shortlisted by
the consultants (result of previous step)
• Well arranged comparison of these alternatives,
based on a fixed set of criteria (result of previous
step)
Product of this step: One or several systems which
is (are) considered most appropriate for the project
area.
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3. Participatory Decision Making Process
2. System Exposure
Goal: stakeholders should make an informed choice
System Exposure allows:
• For stakeholders to gain experience with various sanitation systems
• Creating awareness and demand for sanitation systems
• Contextualization of sanitation systems helps to propose adaptations
• Decisions to be made on actual experience than on assumptions
Source: NETSSAF (2008)
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3. Participatory Decision Making Process
3. Comparison of alternatives
A second participatory workshop helps to collect and analyse the
experiences after the system exposure.
Engineers and planners should be open for suggestions by the
stakeholders for adapted designs.
Product of this step: narrowed down list of possible sanitation
systems.
Assessment of Technology Options
Source: NETSSAF (2008)
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3. Participatory Decision Making Process
4. Final decision making process
Final workshop held with the decision-makers in the project area.
Information needed:
• Narrowed down list of (adapted) sanitation systems from previous
step
• Cost estimations of sanitation systems, availability of construction
material, tools, skilled labour and other essential components for the
construction works
Goal: A system is agreed upon by experts (in terms of technical
robustness) and stakeholders (in terms of usability and affordability)
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4. References
NETSSAF (2008): The NETSSAF Participatory Planning Approach. A Tutorial for Sustainable Sanitation Planning.
Bremerhaven: Network for the Development of Sustainable Approaches for large scale implementation of Sanitation
in Africa (NETSSAF). URL: http://www.netssaftutorial.com/Introduction.405.0.html [Accessed: 30.07.2013]
ZURBRUEGG, C., TILLEY, E. (2007): Evaluation of existing low-cost conventional as well as innovative system and
technologies. Duebendorf: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG). URL:
http://susana.org/lang-en/library?view=ccbktypeitem&type=2&id=1350 [Accessed: 20.08.2013]
WSP (Editor) (2007): Philippines Sanitation Source Book and Decision Aid. pdf presentation. Washington: Water and
Sanitation Program. URL: http://www.pseau.org/outils/biblio/resume.php?d=2693&l=en&tout=1 [Accessed:
20.08.2013]
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“Linking up Sustainable Sanitation,
Water Management & Agriculture”
SSWM is an
initiative
supported by:
Created
by:
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