Connecting Dhaka's Low-Income Communities to New Sewerage: Stakeholder Perspectives

Access to adequate sanitation facilities is a fundamental human right and crucial for public health, yet many low-income urban communities in developing nations lack proper sewerage connections. The Dhaka Sanitation Improvement Project (DSIP) aims to expand the sewerage network in Bangladesh's capital. However, successfully integrating vulnerable populations requires understanding their unique challenges and needs. This study addresses the critical knowledge gap of how stakeholders perceive the strategies for connecting low-income communities to the proposed sewerage network.

Stakeholders identified three primary categories of challenges: affordability, awareness, and technical feasibility. A significant majority of community representatives (over 80%) emphasized that the cost of connection and monthly service fees were major deterrents, often exceeding 20% of a household's discretionary income. Furthermore, 65% of participants noted a lack of clear information regarding the benefits of improved sanitation and the connection process. Technical issues, such as the suitability of existing housing structures for new connections, were raised by 40% of officials. The most critical finding was the unanimous call for subsidized connection costs and flexible payment plans to ensure equitable access for low-income households, with 95% of stakeholders agreeing this was essential. Participants also highlighted the importance of community engagement and participatory planning to tailor solutions, with 70% advocating for local involvement in decision-making.