Why are many so many developing countries doing so badly in providing all their citizens with good sanitation, Prof. Duncan Mara, University of Leeds, asks?. The technical solutions and finance are available, but aid agencies need to focus more on technical training and technical assistance.
[S]enior politicians and senior civil servants do not seem to think that thinking clean or investing in clean is that important (and, of course, there can be no solutions without political solutions). Another huge problem is the technical ignorance of local engineers who are generally paid too little to be motivated to correct this. And, of course, there’s too much corruption in general and in the water and sanitation sector in particular.
Read the full opinion piece on the IRC web site.
Do you agree with Prof. Mara’s analysis? Join the debate and add your comments online at: www.irc.nl/page/61983 (scroll down to the end of the article).
Sanitation Updates 
Really it is a matter of great concern. As you flagged the issue, I want to add the concern. Engineers working in sanitation sector shall be failing in their duties if they fail to tackle 80% of water consumed as sewage coming out of community .Engineers are tackling the drinking water problems to some extent implementing various Water Supply Projects (may be due to political and community reasons and first demand from community) but neglecting the Sewerage Projects to take up simultaneously. For example one city provided with 300 mld as an augmentation Project to existing water supply but simultaneously its 80% sewage left unattended. What are those reasons?, you have flagged nicely. In my opinion all agencies working for water & sewage should give mandate to take up Water & Sewage Projects simultaneously. Else 80% of drinking water generated go to further pollute our water resources. Regards.