BRR Seminar on Sanitation: Published on 15 Feb 2010

Finally, we have finished the two day seminar on Sanitation, followed by the field visit today. BRR has organized a workshop named ‘Sustainable Household Sanitation for Reconstruction in Aceh and Nias’ during 13- 14 February, 2007 followed by a field exposure visit on 15^th February, 2007.

The seminar was very successful with more than 300 people from Local Government, City administration, representatives from regencies, NGOs, and the funding agencies. There were display stalls from few vendors where they displayed some of their products. Government representatives of Health, Environment and Public Works ministries from Jakarta also attended the meeting.

The Head of WATSAN in BRR told that around 50,000 houses are built by NGOs with out proper sanitation systems, and BRR will take responsibility to install proper sanitation systems

The Mayor of Banda Aceh told that he will ensure all housing agencies build appropriate sanitation systems and requested to look at centralized systems as an alternative for urban Banda Aceh.

The Director, Ministry of Health asked NGOs to increase the budget in Sanitation, which can be adjusted by fewer requirements of health budgets.

BRR told that they would be able to finance sanitation systems, in case the NGOs are struggling with their budgets.

The new Governor’s speech was readout which emphasized on a minimum of secondary treatment system, water tight septic tanks, no water to be released into drains with out treatment etc.,

Several NGOs emphasized that change should begin with Government agencies, especially mentioning about BRR Septic tank designs.

CARE is actively involved since more than two months in designing and planning for this seminar along with other NGOs. 6 of us participated in the workshop along with Simuelue WATSAN Coordinator, and I have made two presentations along with my colleagues in the seminar. We have also contributed to the final recommendations and conclusions of the seminar.

Our model for septic tanks is well appreciated because of its simple design, locally manufactured and low cost when compared to other agencies. CARE is spending around 4 million per household, while other sophisticated systems are costing around 9- 13 million. Nevertheless, we will keep on improving the design based on community feedback, and look for reducing the cost further.