The poor condition of the cities’ existing public toilets illustrates that their public toilet operations and maintenance is inadequate. Outsourcing of responsibilities should not be treated lightly, and can be a waste of resources if not supported by adequate capacities, institutional mechanisms and effective contracts that ensure and control the effective construction or retrofitting and operation of public toilet facilities.

Focal areas

• Ensure effective outsourcing (contracts and procurement): Some of the critical challenges in the asset management of public toilets can be traced to gaps and inconsistencies in the contract award and structuring process. Reviewing the contract agreements between municipalities and private vendors and developing standardized and suitable contract templates in line with the selected business model is the first step to ensure and control effective implementation.

• Awareness generation: Behavioural change requires awareness. The Swachh Bharat Mission and The National Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP) acknowledges that a better understanding on planning, operation and use of public toilet facilities benefits public health and the city’s environment and is key to lasting improvements in the sanitation sector. Emphasis should be on changing existing perceptions of users, operators and decision makers. To do so, cities are advised to set up communication and decision-making structures as well as an awareness-building and marketing strategy.

Toolbox

A collection of tools and reference material for the third step of the Public Toilet Management process and its focal areas is available for download here.