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vening in peri-urban areas, the most likely initial candidates for the adoption of low-cost sewer systems. |
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International units that could have important roles to play in the dissemination effort include IRC (WHO), SKAT, EHP (formerly WASH), ENSIC and the ITN managed by the UNDP/World Bank Program. There are of course many more at the national level, such as EPA's Small Flows Clearinghouse in the United States. The key criterion in dissemination has to be speedy and effective dissemination to the clientelethere seems to be a certain elitism in dissemination, which restricts access to publications and other materials (for example, by requiring payment in hard currency), and this should be resisted. |
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The choice of developing country partners is also critical. 'Hard hat' sewerage agencies may have little interest in adopting alternative design standards and practices, especially if this would require them to devote much more time to community relations. Lowering the cost of systems does not appeal to a number of influential groupsfor example, agencies trying to enhance their budgets (and hence the size of contracts they can award); consulting firms paid on a percentage basis; or manufacturers of key components (especially pipes). Agency senior technical staff as well as senior university teachers may feel threatened by the introduction of design and implementation techniques which are unfamiliar to them, but which are well understood by their junior staff. The use of sympathetic, enthusiastic but nontechnical agencies (such as community development agencies, NGOs, etc.) as the prime means of promoting applications in developing countries could also pose problems, as these agencies may not have the technical resources to ensure proper design, construction, operation and maintenance, and they may carry little credibility with national sector agencies. Ideally, the agency selected should be sufficiently influential to have the chance to change national policy, while at the same time being flexible enough to welcome new approaches. |
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There is clearly a need to establish a permanent organization for promoting the adoption of more appropriate standards in |
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