Experiences from integrating water and sanitation safety planning in small systems in rural Serbia

The WHO recommends a risk management approach to ensure safe drinking-water and sanitation, so-called Water Safety Planning and Sanitation Safety Planning. However, applying these risk management approaches separately in small-scale drinking-water supply and sanitation systems might be challenging for rural communities with limited human, financial, and administrative resources. An integrated approach seems a better option. In this study, an integrated water and sanitation safety planning (iWSSP) approach was developed together with guidance and training material for the practical application of this novel approach. The integrated approach was piloted in three small systems in rural Serbia to identify benefits and suggestions for improvement which can be used for potential future scaling-up. Implementing iWSSP at the pilot sites contributed to a better understanding of both drinking-water supply and sanitation systems. It also resulted in increased awareness, knowledge, and understanding among staff of drinking-water supply and sanitation services. Key experts, including external facilitators, played a crucial role in the implementation of iWSSP. Future scaling-up of the integrated approach could be enabled if more guidance, easy-to-use training materials and templates become available which can be adapted and updated as needed.