Safely managed sanitation refers to an improved sanitation facility that is not shared among households and ensures the safe handling of waste, either on-site or off-site.
According to the definition provided by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), safely managed sanitation facilities are improved sanitation facilities that are not shared with other households and where excreta are safely disposed of in situ or transported and treated offsite. This is the highest level in the JMP service ladder for sanitation and is a key indicator for monitoring progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2, which aims to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.
Breaking Down Safely Managed Sanitation
Understanding safely managed sanitation requires looking at its core components:
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Improved Sanitation Facility: This means the facility must be designed to hygienically separate human excreta from human contact. Examples include:
- Flush or pour-flush toilets connecting to:
- Piped sewer system
- Septic tank
- Pit latrine
- Ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine
- Pit latrine with slab
- Composting toilet
- Flush or pour-flush toilets connecting to:
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Not Shared: The facility must be for the exclusive use of one household. Facilities shared between multiple households, even if improved, do not meet the 'safely managed' criteria. Shared facilities pose higher risks of contamination and do not offer the same level of privacy and dignity.
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Safe Management of Excreta: This is the critical third component. Excreta must be handled safely throughout the sanitation chain:
- In Situ Disposal: This means waste remains and is safely contained within the premises, for example, in a properly constructed and maintained septic tank or pit latrine that prevents leaching into the environment or groundwater.
- Offsite Transportation and Treatment: If waste is removed from the premises (e.g., from a septic tank or pit), it must be transported safely and then treated at a recognized facility before being released into the environment. This prevents the spread of disease and pollution.
The Sanitation Service Chain
Safely managed sanitation considers the entire journey of human waste, often visualized as a service chain:
- Containment: Safely holding excreta at the point of use (e.g., in a toilet, pit, or tank).
- Emptying/Treatment (On-site): Safely disposing of or treating waste within the household premises (e.g., a well-maintained pit or septic tank).
- Emptying/Transport (Off-site): Safely removing waste from the premises and transporting it.
- Treatment (Off-site): Treating the collected waste safely at a dedicated facility.
- Disposal/Reuse: Safely disposing of treated waste or using it beneficially (e.g., as fertilizer or biogas).
A facility is considered 'safely managed' only if all links in the chain are safe for that household's waste.
Why Safely Managed Sanitation Matters
Achieving safely managed sanitation is crucial for:
- Public Health: Preventing the spread of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.
- Environmental Protection: Avoiding pollution of land, water sources, and the air.
- Dignity and Safety: Providing privacy and security, especially for women and girls.
- Economic Development: Reducing healthcare costs and improving productivity.
| Sanitation Level | Description | Meets Safely Managed? |
|---|---|---|
| Safely Managed | Improved, not shared, excreta safely disposed of/treated. | Yes |
| Basic | Improved, not shared, but excreta not safely managed (e.g., untreated pit). | No |
| Limited | Improved, shared with other households. | No |
| Unimproved | Facilities that do not hygienically separate excreta (e.g., open pit). | No |
| Open Defecation | No facility used. | No |
Meeting the safely managed standard requires significant investment in infrastructure, services (like emptying and transport), and treatment plants, as well as ensuring proper maintenance and regulation.
