WASH programmes regularly fail — sometimes missing their stated aims entirely, sometimes experiencing setbacks that, with reflection, could be addressed. Yet the voices of those implementing WASH on the ground are rarely heard in published literature, with most explanations for failure coming from sector experts in high-income countries.
WASHTED collaborated with the University of Western Australia, the University of Leeds, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal to explore the persistent failures of WASH programming in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2020, 108 front-line WASH professionals from Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe participated in 96 interviews to share their insights. The study, identified that WASH failures largely stem from the projectisation of programming. This approach creates a focus on short-term, budget-constrained projects funded by external donors, leading to reduced accountability and unrealistic expectations for community sustainability post-project. Other factors include poor user engagement, idealistic planning, unrealistic funder expectations, inadequate coordination, insufficient staff capacity, and inappropriate technologies.
Study Findings
2020The study concluded that WASH programming must move away from projectisation toward long-term investment with accountability to local governments, longitudinal measurement of WASH access, and genuine engagement of intended users from the outset.
Research Findings
- WASH failures largely stem from the projectisation of programming.
- Short-term, budget-constrained projects funded by external donors can reduce accountability and create unrealistic expectations for community sustainability after projects end.
- Poor user engagement can contribute to failure in WASH programming.
- Idealistic planning and unrealistic funder expectations can undermine programme implementation.
- Inadequate coordination and insufficient staff capacity can affect the success of WASH programmes.
- Inappropriate technologies can contribute to persistent failures.
Recommendations
- Move away from projectisation towards long-term investment in WASH.
- Strengthen accountability to local governments.
- Use longitudinal measurement of WASH access.
- Genuinely engage intended users from the outset of WASH programming.
Publication
Barrington DJ, Sindall RC, Chinyama A, Morse T, Luwe K et al. The persistence of failure in water, sanitation and hygiene programming: a qualitative study. BMJ Global Health 2025; 10:e016354.
Research Briefs
WASH Symposium
The study findings were also presented at the Colorado 2021 WASH Symposium.
Funding
Funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering as part of the UK Government’s Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).
