The success of condominial sewerage in Brazil has led to a growing interest worldwide in these systems says François Brikké of the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP). Condominial systems were first developed in Brazil, about 30 years ago, by combining a group of houses' small diameter sewerage networks into a single system. In densely populated peri-urban areas, they are often the only feasible sewerage option.

Condominial systems require that homeowners make collective decisions on where to lay the network, how much to contribute for construction, and how the system will be maintained in collaboration with the local water utility. This participatory approach has led to substantial reduction of up to 35% in construction costs and improved operation and maintenance, according to WSP.

A measure of their success in Brazil, is the fact that condominial systems are now the de facto standard in both poor and rich areas in the capital Brasilia. Systems have also been installed in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.

WSP will release a technical and advocacy document on condominial systems in 2008.

Related web site: Sanitation Connection – Low Cost Sewerage

See also: CINARA (2004). Non-conventional sewerage system : a Latin American case. FAQ sheet

Contact: François Brikké, Regional Team Leader, Latin America, WSP, Peru, wspandean@worldbank.org

Source: Access, 1 Jun 2007

Tags: on-site sanitation