What is this tool intended for?

The Sustainable Sanitation Management Tool supports the selection of sanitation technologies and management strategies, with a focus on resource recovery, including nutrient reuse and water reuse. It is particularly useful in isolated and rural communities, where existing guidelines are often not suitable for local needs. The tool fosters participatory decision-making, empowering communities to choose technologies and management solutions adapted to their specific contexts.

How does this tool work?

The tool uses a diagnostic process with two forms:

• Informative form: Generates statistical analyses and graphical outputs.
• Class form: A decision tree based on diagnostic analysis, used to select appropriate technologies based on predefined criteria such as water quality, geography, and infrastructure.

The tool incorporates management tools like the 5W2H method and the Canvas business model, which assist in creating detailed implementation plans and organizing sanitation systems. Additionally, the tool is linked to a PostGreSQL database to analyze sanitation situations and integrate new technologies.

Who might use this tool and with which types of stakeholders?

The tool is designed for a wide range of users involved in sanitation planning and management. Sanitation professionals, including engineers and consultants, can use it to evaluate and implement appropriate sanitation technologies. Local technicians and community leaders benefit from its participatory approach, allowing them to engage with stakeholders and ensure locally adapted solutions. Environmental agencies can utilize the tool for regulatory assessments and sustainable sanitation planning. Designers and engineering students can apply it as an educational resource to explore different sanitation technologies and management strategies. Policy makers at local and regional government levels can use the tool to support decision-making and develop inclusive sanitation policies. Additionally, research institutions focusing on sanitation and resource recovery can leverage the tool for studies on sustainable and circular sanitation systems.

What stages of a process can this tool support?

The tool supports the planning phase, particularly in isolated and rural settings where traditional systems are not applicable. It also helps in capacity development, technology selection, and the development of implementation plans that align with resource recovery goals.

What skills, capabilities, and resources are required to use this tool?

Users need basic knowledge of sanitation systems, resource recovery technologies, and community engagement methods. The tool’s user-friendly interface makes it accessible, but local expertise is essential for adapting solutions to specific needs.

Where can this tool be used?

The tool is applicable in isolated, rural, and peri-urban communities, especially in countries with limited access to urban sanitation systems. It has been applied in Brazil but is intended for use globally, especially in communities with limited infrastructure and a focus on resource recovery.

Case examples of where this tool has been used

In a pilot study in Brazil (Furnas do Dionísio Quilombola Community), the tool was used to involve the community in selecting appropriate sanitation technologies, such as evapotranspiration tanks and banana circles for water and nutrient recovery.