Documenting the impact of climate change on sanitation in urban and rural areas
Sanitation systems are critical for health and safety, and any breakdown has severe health and environmental consequences. Sanitation services, like toilets, sewage systems, and waste treatment facilities, create a physical separation between humans and waste, preventing direct contact with harmful pathogens and pollutants. By containing and adequately managing waste, these systems prevent the spread of contaminants into the environment (like water sources) and minimise the risk of infectious diseases. When poorly designed, damaged, or not functioning, sanitation systems fail to keep waste contained. This allows contaminants to leak into the environment, spreading diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
As climate change intensifies, this year’s World Toilet Day is a reminder to highlight the global need for improved sanitation and safe water. Additionally, documenting and collecting data on how sanitation services are impacted by changing weather patterns in urban and rural areas is more critical than ever. Reliable data will help us understand the risks and take targeted action to protect public health and the environment.
Rapid migration to cities in urban areas creates challenges for existing sanitation infrastructure. Many towns have outdated or insufficient systems that are not equipped to handle the demands of swelling populations. When climate-induced events like flooding occur, these systems are overwhelmed, resulting in sewage overflows that contaminate water supplies, spread disease, and harm the environment. Additionally, urban water scarcity, driven by higher temperatures and droughts, makes it difficult for sanitation services reliant on flush systems to function effectively. Collecting data in these urban settings can identify the most vulnerable areas and understand the extent of the challenges. With accurate data, municipalities can prioritise infrastructure upgrades, focus resources where they are most needed, and invest in climate-resilient sanitation technologies to better protect urban populations.
The situation in rural areas presents a different set of challenges. Already lacking in adequate sanitation, rural communities often rely on basic or open systems that are highly vulnerable to climate disruptions. For example, in many rural regions, water shortages from prolonged droughts reduce the availability of clean water for both drinking and sanitation. This forces people to use contaminated sources, increasing the risk of disease. When extreme weather events like storms hit, they erode soil, spread waste from open defecation areas, and pollute nearby farmland and water bodies. Data collection in rural areas is equally critical. By understanding local needs and the specific climate challenges these areas face, organisations and governments can devise targeted solutions, such as rainwater harvesting systems, compost toilets, and other eco-friendly sanitation options that are both affordable and resilient.
In both urban and rural settings, the absence of adequate data limits stakeholders’ ability to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on sanitation. Reliable data informs policymakers, enabling them to allocate resources where they are most needed and develop solutions that match each community’s unique needs. Documenting climate impacts on sanitation is also crucial for protecting public health. Floods, droughts, and temperature shifts all influence sanitation infrastructure, and without resilient solutions, poor sanitation conditions could lead to deadly disease outbreaks. Data not only helps track these health outcomes but also provides early warnings to prevent widespread health crises. Climate-resilient infrastructure solutions offer a path forward. In cities, flood-resistant toilets, green infrastructure, and decentralised treatment plants are proving effective. For rural areas, innovations like solar sanitation systems and community-led waste management initiatives provide adaptable, low-cost solutions.
This World Toilet Day, the call to action is clear: collect and document data on climate change’s impact on sanitation. With accurate information, we can build spaces where everyone has access to safe and reliable sanitation regardless of where they live. By prioritising climate-resilient sanitation solutions, we can build systems that withstand climate impacts and offer long-term benefits.
