Assessment of Water and Environmental Sanitation Needs in Selected Low Income Urban Communities

Cowater and its partners undertook a detailed assessment of the water and sanitation needs of low income urban communities in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) as part of the World Banks GAMA Sanitation and Water Project. The aim of the assessment was to provide a situation analysis as well as recommendations and guidelines for targeted WASH interventions for the urban poor. The study was carried out in two phases that involved a detailed desk review and an in-depth field assessment of the social, economic and technical aspects related to WASH services delivery was undertaken in a total of nine low-income urban communities. The assessment resulted in a comprehensive geo-referenced database using mobile based IT systems, and a functionality that allowd local community members to monitor the evolving water and sanitation situation. The assessment also resulted in a number recommendations on sustainable water and sanitation interventions and guidelines for community-based hygiene promotion, and WASH services provision and oversight.