Software
2024 • Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) SANITECH – a platform for integrated sanitation investment planning
SANITECH is a GIS-enabled decision support tool designed for integrated sanitation planning and investment. It assists urban local bodies in evaluating sanitation systems across the entire value chain—from capture to treatment—by considering environmental compliance, financial costs, and technical feasibility. The tool allows users to generate and compare sanitation scenarios, helping prioritize cost-effective and sustainable investments in urban sanitation infrastructure. SANITECH’s interface supports scenario creation, impact visualization, and decision-making for urban planners, policymakers, and sanitation experts.
Recovered Materials & Products
Energy
Biogas
Water reuse
Waste Streams
Faecal sludge
Wastewater
Sewage sludge
Confirmed countries
Mexico
What is this tool intended for?
SANITECH provides urban planners and decision-makers with a structured framework for assessing sanitation investment options. It supports evidence-based decision-making by evaluating the costs, environmental impacts, and resource requirements of various sanitation technologies, enabling better infrastructure planning for urban areas.
How does this tool work?
The tool features a GIS-enabled interactive interface that allows users to input city- or ward-level data and select suitable sanitation technologies based on constraints like water availability, land area, and energy access. Users can create scenarios, evaluate their outputs, and compare multiple options to identify optimal sanitation systems. The platform also integrates compatibility matrices and predefined constraints to ensure practical recommendations.
Who might use this tool and with which types of stakeholders?
The primary users are urban local bodies, municipal authorities, sanitation engineers, and policymakers. The tool is also valuable for consultants, researchers, and NGOs involved in urban sanitation planning and development.
What stages of a process can this tool support?
SANITECH supports the pre-feasibility and planning stages of sanitation projects. It aids in scenario development, investment planning, and strategic decision-making, aligning with broader goals like sustainable urban sanitation and resource recovery.
What skills, capabilities, and resources are required to use this tool?
Users need basic GIS and sanitation system knowledge to operate the tool effectively. Access to spatial and demographic data at the city or ward level is essential for generating accurate scenarios.
Where can this tool be used?
The tool is globally applicable, but its initial focus has been on urban settings in India. Its functionality can be customized for other regions by adapting data inputs.
Get the Tool
SANITECH is accessible freely online for registered users, with a demo version available for initial exploration.
http://darpan.cstep.in/sanitech
Technologies
Composting
Anaerobic digestion
Activated sludge
Waste stabilization ponds
Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors
Anaerobic baffled reactors
Sludge application
Horizontal planted gravel filter
Themes
Design
GIS