Open Planning of Sanitation Systems

As described above, the planning tool of the Open Planning of Sanitation Systems framework is based on the OCCA. Fundamental to OCCA planning is the recognition that the desired result (sustainable household sanitation) can be achieved by the utilisation of different sanitation technologies. Ultimately, all factors influencing the sustainability of a sanitation system, such as local conditions, applicable regulations and user preference must guide the choice of a sanitation solution. This will ensure that the system most appropriate and sustainable for a specific community and its economic and environmental situation is selected. This approach also allows the promotion of new and innovative sanitation techniques, which is in accordance with the best available technique) principle that is a part of the environmental legislation in many countries. The OCCA concept is based on the establishment of a set of criteria describing the function requirements or targets to be achieved by a sanitation system. These criteria are context-specific and are identified in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.

In order to achieve a well-functioning system, it is important to involve the users and other relevant stakeholders from the start. The probability of success will increase if the future users are planning participants and are given a sense of ownership of the project. Accordingly, stakeholder participation is a vital part of the framework determining the success of a sustainable sanitation planning process.

(1) Step one, the problem identification is an important component of successful project planning. If problems and their causes are not identified, the project is likely to fail. The use of the logical framework approach (LFA) or PHAST (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation) is recommended. Both strategies contain tools for problem identification and allow stakeholder participation.

(2) Step two, the identification of the baseline or boundary condition assesses the conditions for the project. Subjects to be addressed can include geographic limits, socio-economic patterns, cultural habits, system financing (see PPT), legal frameworks, natural environmental conditions or the present infrastructure. The proposed sanitation system needs to be defined with these key questions: where does the system begin and end? Does it include all wastewater fractions of the household?

(3) Step three, the terms of requirements (ToR) should be comprehensive and include all factors needed to ensure sustainable sanitation in the actual context. They are usually set by a facilitator together with stakeholders and the body responsible for sanitation (often the local government). Function requirements can be organised into two blocks. The first block contains primary functions such as hygiene, environmental protection, water protection and resource conservation. The second block is applicable more for the user concerning practical functions such as user-friendliness, reliability, costs and management issues. A viable balance between these two blocks needs to be obtained. There is no universal ToR that can describe what is sustainable in all settings. The ToR need to be identified for each setting.

(4) In step four, the analysis of possible solutions, at least three system solutions that fulfil the terms of requirements should be presented to the community. A comparison is made with regards to all criteria. The alternatives should be presented in such a way that the community understands why some techniques are feasible and adequate, whereas others have been abandoned.

(5) The final step five, the choice of the most appropriate solution is to evaluate and compare the three possible alternatives from step 4. One possible method is by using a scoring system. The final choice of sanitation system should be made by the stakeholders and future users (KVARNSTROEM & PETERSENS 2005).