The issue of standards for household latrines is complex because discussions related to
standards for latrines in literature from the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector
tend to focus on the negative aspects of standards and highlights cases where the missapplication
of standards in the past has caused problems. However, despite concerns about
the constraints that standards can seemingly impose, there is an acknowledgement that
standards can play a more positive role in supporting efforts to increase access to
household latrines.
The World Health Organisation has long established and widely recognised standards for
water supply quality and quantity but there are no equivalent standards for sanitation
services and there is currently no guidance that deals with the topic of standards for
household latrines. Household latrines are a small component of the wider sanitation
system in a country and by considering how standards for household latrines operate
within this wider sanitation system the aim of this research is to understand what
influences standards can have on household latrines and explore how the negative
perceptions about standards and latrine building can be overcome. The development of
guidance on how to develop ‘well written’ standards is the core focus of this research.
This research explores the factors that can influence the development and use of a
standard for household latrines in Rwanda using three data collection methods. Document
analysis using 66 documents, including policies and strategies, design manuals and training
guides from 17 countries throughout Sub-Saharan Africa was used in conjunction with the
Delphi Method involving an expert panel of 27 from Rwanda and 38 semi-structured
interviews.
The research concludes that perceptions about standards for household latrines are
fragmented and confused with little consensus in Rwanda on what need a standard should
meet and what role it should play. The study has found that the need for a standard must
be considered in the context of the wider sanitation system otherwise it can lead to
duplication of efforts and increased confusion for all stakeholders. The study also found
that there is an assumed link between standards and enforcement of standards through
regulation and punishments which creates the negative perceptions about standards in
Rwanda. However, despite this aversion to standards, there are still intentions to promote
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the standardisation of latrine technologies and designs, led by national government in
Rwanda and in other Sub-Saharan African countries.
The contribution to knowledge of this research includes a decision process presented at the
end of the study which can be used by decision makers who are interested in developing a
standard for household latrines. The decision process acts as a tool for outlining how a
standard can operate within the national sanitation system. This understanding provides
decision makers with the basis for continuing the debate on what a ‘well written’ standard
looks like in the national context and supports the development of a standard that is fit for
purpose and provides a positive contribution to the sector. The findings can be generalised
to countries with a similar context.