npj Clean Water (Oct 2024)

Sustainable cost recovery principles can drive equitable, ongoing funding of critical urban sanitation services

  • Naomi Carrard,
  • Juliet Willetts,
  • Antoinette Kome,
  • Rajeev Munankami

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-024-00399-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 4

Abstract

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This Comment critiques current urban sanitation financing discourse and proposes sustainable cost recovery principles as a framework for more constructive conversations. The way we talk about financing matters, and a better conversation can lead to better outcomes. We contend that framing discussions around sustainable cost recovery principles can foster fairer, more sustainable financing arrangements that acknowledge sanitation as a critical public good while ensuring service provider viability and user affordability.