Software
2016 • CEPT University SaniPlan – a performance improvement planning tool
SaniPlan is a decision support tool designed for urban sanitation planning, offering an integrated approach to service performance and financial assessment. It evaluates the entire sanitation chain—user interface, collection, conveyance, treatment, and safe disposal—and aligns with India’s service level benchmarks (SLBs). Through its performance, action planning, and finance modules, SaniPlan helps users assess current services, identify improvement actions, and create a sustainable financial plan. It has been widely used in India and beyond to develop city sanitation plans and support fecal sludge management strategies.
Recovered Materials & Products
Water reuse
Waste Streams
Faecal sludge
Wastewater
Sewage sludge
Confirmed countries
Mexico
What is this tool intended for?
SaniPlan aims to improve urban sanitation services by providing a structured framework for performance assessment, action planning, and financial sustainability. It helps municipalities prioritize interventions and assess their implications on service quality and municipal finance.
How does this tool work?
The tool is Excel-based, consisting of three main modules:
- Performance assessment: Uses service level benchmarks and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the sanitation service chain and identify critical gaps.
- Action planning: Suggests over 110 actions for improvement, including infrastructure upgrades, policy interventions, and data enhancements. Users can simulate scenarios and assess their impact.
- Finance planning: Creates a feasible financing plan for capital and operational costs, incorporating options such as grants, PPPs, loans, and user charges.
Who might use this tool and with which types of stakeholders?
SaniPlan is intended for urban planners, municipal authorities, financial officers, and sanitation professionals. It involves collaboration with local governments, consultants, and community stakeholders.
What stages of a process can this tool support?
The tool supports the planning and design phases of sanitation projects, including scenario development, policy planning, and financial modeling. It is also useful for monitoring and iterative improvement.
What skills, capabilities, and resources are required to use this tool?
Basic spreadsheet skills and access to sanitation service data are required. Knowledge of municipal finances and familiarity with sanitation systems enhance its utility.
Where can this tool be used?
SaniPlan is globally applicable but has been widely used in Indian cities, including Maharashtra and Gujarat, for city sanitation planning and performance improvement.
Case examples of where this tool has been used
In India, SaniPlan has been applied in over 15 cities in Maharashtra for preparing performance improvement plans and city sanitation plans (e.g., Wai and Sinnar). The tool has also been integrated into the FSM Toolbox developed by the Asian Institute of Technology for global use.
Get the Tool
The tool is freely available for download through the Performance Assessment System portal. Training materials and case studies are also accessible.
https://pas.org.in/web/ceptpas/santools?p_p_id=SanTools_WAR_Portal
Technologies
Sludge application
Themes
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Financing and investment