Improving Municipal Wastewater
Management in Coastal Cities
A UNESCO-IHE UNEP/GPA capacity building partnership
under the umbrella of the UN/DOALOS Train-Sea-Coast Programme
Preliminary Evaluation Report
This is a report of the post training survey carried out on 286 alumni
from 13 courses conducted from 2007 2009 version 3
by
Kizito Masinde, UNV, UNEP/GPA
The 2007 2009 phase of this training was jointly financed by
the European Union ACP Water Facility and the United Nations
Development Programme - Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF)

Introduction
Wastewater management in coastal cities has been identified as a priority for the United
Nations Environment Programme's Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the
Marine Environment from Land-based activities (UNEP/GPA). This comes in recognition that
the major threats to the health, productivity and biodiversity of the marine environment
results from human activities on land, in coastal areas, and further inland. The bulk of the
world's population lives in coastal areas and their well-being and survival depend upon the
health and well-being of the coastal systems, associated watersheds and drainage basins,
and near-shore coastal waters.
To address the challenge of managing wastewater UNEP/GPA jointly with UNESCO-IHE
Institute for water Education developed a training on "Improving Municipal Wastewater
Management for coastal Cities" for municipal wastewater managers. The training was
developed in the framework of the United Nation's Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of
the Sea (UN/DOALOS) Train-Sea-Coast (TSC) programme. The TSC Programme is part of
TRAIN-X1 UN capacity building initiative.
As the only UN programme addressing the interface between the freshwater and coastal
environment, the training focuses on four elements2:
-
Objective Oriented Planning (the project identification part of the project cycle),
-
Innovative Technological and Financial Approaches,
-
Stakeholder Involvement (benefits of stakeholder involvement and how to do it),
-
Presentation Techniques and feasibility reporting,
Until August 2009, 72 training courses had been delivered since the first delivery in Tanzania
in March 2003. A total of 1,800 experts from 67 countries were trained with the course
conducted in seven languages. In 2007, UNEP incepted a USD 1.2M grant from the
European Union Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (EU ACP) Water Facility with USD
1M co-financing from the UNDP-GEF International Waters portfolio to coordinate 60 training
courses in ACP countries. Until August 2009, 50 of these courses had been delivered. In mid
2009, questionnaires were sent out to 286 participants of the recent UNDP-GEF and EU
funded training courses in ACP countries (Annex 2). This report is a synopsis of the
responses from 16 % of the participant's contacted.
For smooth implementation of the programme, UNEP/GPA has coordinated the training
jointly with other UN agencies, with substantial involvement of local academic institutions,
local governments and Non Governmental Organisations. These organisations have taken
great pride to organise the courses with detail and often on a very limited budget. The UN
agencies include the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, United Nations Division for
Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Seas (UN/DOALOS), United Nations Development
Programme - Global Environment Facility (UNDP - GEF), GEF International Waters Learning
Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN), United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) and UNEP - Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine
Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA).
1 The United Nations TRAIN-X Network comprised of eight training programmes implemented by UN
organizations in different fields of specialization. All programmes share similar objective and approaches to
training. Since its inception in 1992, TRAIN-X has been coordinated by UNDP.
2 Further information on this can be found at http://www.training.gpa.unep.org/content.html?id=14
4

Evaluation Findings
Section 1: Evaluation of the course
This section of the report assesses the relevance and effectiveness of the course. The
alumni were requested to rate statements presented to them by circling a number that had a
pre-conceived ranking as follows:
1 = strongly Disagree;
2 = disagree;
3 = indifferent;
4 = agree;
5 = strongly agree
To increase clarity in the text of this report, use of the above terms will be put in quotes (e.g.
`agreed')
Objective Oriented Planning
Objective Oriented Planning (OOP) is a general management tool that facilitates planning,
execution and the evaluation of a project. It assumes that projects are instruments of change
to a desirable situation. The objective of this module is to guide participants through the
different steps of objective oriented planning. Knowledge of the tool familiarises the
participants with the analysis of problems, objectives, options and stakeholders, enabling
them improve the management of wastewater in their respective localities.
After the course, the survey sought to find out if the participants were increasingly
formulating, implementing and evaluating their projects in a structured manner when dealing
with wastewater management problems (Fig. 1). 50 % of the participants agreed that they
increasingly ensured that projects are formulated in a structured manner. 39 % `strongly
agreed' to this. Only a total of 4 % were not formulating their projects in a structured manner.
48 % and 55 % of the participants `agreed' that they implemented and evaluated their
projects in a structured manner respectively. 32 % and 34 % `strongly agreed' to increasingly
implementing and evaluating their projects in a structured manner respectively.
Use of the Objective Oriented Planning tool
A survey of the use of the Objective Oriented Planning (OOP) tool in the formulation,
implementation and evaluation of wastewater management projects by participants was also
made. Only 2 % `disagreed' that they did not use the tool (Fig. 2). Those who `agreed' and
`strongly agreed' made up a total of 73 %. Those who `agreed' and `strongly agreed' to using
OOP in implementing projects were 45 % and 25 % respectively while 56 % and 14 %
`agreed' and `strongly agreed' respectively to using the tool in evaluation of projects.
The training programme was excellent and opened my eyes to the possibility of using treated wastewater for
household and industrial activities. I suggest your training goes into communities for wider spread of this
insightful training. Prince Prempeh, Friends of Rivers and Water Bodies, Ghana.
5

60
Strongly disagree
Disagree
50
Indifferent
Agree
e 40
Strongly agree
ons
no response
pse 30
tr
encer 20
p
10
0
Wastewater management
Wastewater management
Wastewater management
projects are formulated in a
projects are implemented in a
projects are evaluated in a
structured manner
structured manner
structured manner
Figure 1. Participants who formulate, implement and evaluate projects in a structured manner.
60.0
Disagree
50.0
Indifferent
Agree
e 40.0
Strongly agree
nso
no response
p
es 30.0
tr
enrc
pe 20.0
10.0
0.0
Objective oriented planning is Objective oriented planing is Objective oriented planning is
used in formulation of
used in implementation of
used in evaluation of projects
projects
projects
Figure 2. Participants who use OOP in formulation, implementation and evaluation of wastewater
management projects.
6

Stakeholder Participation in wastewater management projects
Active involvement of stakeholders (people or groups of people who are likely to affect or be
affected by the outcome of a proposed project) is essential right from the project formulation
stage. This is because the process involves consulting and sharing of information, ensuring
that conflicts are avoided and the most creative solutions to problems are found driven by the
shared common goal. It was therefore important to find out if the former course participants
took a deliberate effort to ensure the involvement of stakeholders.
When asked if they took into consideration the interests of the various stakeholders 66 %
`strongly agreed' that they did (Fig. 3). It should be noted that none `disagreed' to not
considering the interests of stakeholders.
I take into account the interests of various stakeholders
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Indifferent
Agree
Strongly agree
no response
Figure 3. Participants who took into account the interests of various stakeholders.
59 % `strongly agreed' that they made a deliberate effort to involve various stakeholders and
ensure they actively participated in the development of the projects (Fig. 4).
I make a deliberate effort to involve various stakeholders and
ensure they actively participate in project development
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Indifferent
Agree
Strongly agree
no response
Figure 4. Participants who make a deliberate effort to involve various stakeholders and ensure they
actively participate in project development.
7

Compared to 39 % who `strongly agreed' that their organisation had increasingly paid
attention to interests of stakeholders when dealing with wastewater management issues,
only 5 % `disagreed' while 41 % `agreed' with the statement (Fig. 5).
My organisation has increasingly paid attention to the interest of
stakeholders when dealing with wastewater management issues
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Disagree
Indifferent
Agree
Strongly agree
no response
Figure 5. Participants whose organisations paid attention to interests of stakeholders when dealing
with wastewater management issues.
Technological approaches
The module on technological approaches gives participants an overview of conventional and
innovative technological solutions available for wastewater management enabling them to
make choices among the various technological alternatives available to address wastewater
problems. Several approaches to developing technological solutions are introduced to the
participants. The participants were interviewed on the use of these approaches.
48 % of the respondents `strongly agreed' that they considered technological solutions based
on the principle of pollution prevention while 36 % considered technological solutions that
aim at re-use of resources (Fig. 6). Only 2 % `disagreed' that they considered solutions
based on the principle of pollution prevention. 5 % also said they did not consider solutions
that aimed at re-use of resources.
8

60
Strongly disagree
50
Disagree
Indifferent
40
e
Agree
onsp
Strongly agree
es 30
r
no response
ntec
per 20
10
0
I consider technological solutions based on
I consider technological solutions that aim at
the principle of pollution prevention
re-use of resources
Figure 6. Participants who consider technological solutions based on the approaches taught for
wastewater management projects.
57 % of the participants said they considered the potentials and constraints of centralised vs.
decentralised solutions (Fig. 7). Only 2 % said they didn't consider this. 61 % of the
participants `strongly agreed' that they are guided by technological and environmental
sustainability principles when designing their projects.
70
60
Disagree
50
Indifferent
Agree
40
Strongly agree
30
no response
20
10
0
I consider the potentials and constraints of
In project design, technological and
centeralized vs. decentralized technological
evironmental sustainability are major guiding
solutions
principles
Figure 7. Percentage of participants who considered potentials and constraints of technological
solutions, and those who were guided by technological and environmental sustainability principles in
project design.
9

The evaluation sought to know if the participants had observed an increased awareness on
alternative concepts to make wastewater management more sustainable and if they were
more receptive to alternative concepts in making the management more sustainable.
Those who `agreed' that the awareness on alternative concepts to make wastewater
management more sustainable had increased were 64 % (Fig. 8). A similar percentage
`agreed' that concepts to make wastewater management more sustainable were commonly
accepted in their organisation.
Finance
The implementation of wastewater management solutions presents major financial
challenges to concerned authorities. Participants to the wastewater management course are
therefore introduced to the alternative financing mechanisms available for consideration
when planning wastewater management projects. In developing solutions to wastewater
problems, the participants were asked if they considered financial approaches based on the
user-pays principles, and instruments that aimed at reducing the production of wastewater.
Responses received showed that the participants who `agreed' and `strongly agreed' to
considering financial approaches based on the user-pays principles were 36 % and 27 %
respectively (Fig. 9). Those who `agreed' to considering financial instruments that aim to
reduce the production of wastewater were 41 % while 16 % `strongly agreed'.
70
60
Disagree
50
e
Indifferent
Agree
pons 40
es
Strongly agree
r
no response
30
entc
per 20
10
0
The awareness on alternative concepts to
Alternative concepts to make wastewater
make wastewater management more
management more sustainable are now
sustainable has increased
commonly accepted
Figure 8. Participants had experienced an increased awareness on alternative concepts and
receptivity for sustainable wastewater management concepts in their organisation.
10

45
Strongly disagree
40
Disagree
Indifferent
35
Agree
30
e
Strongly agree
no response
pons 25
esr 20
entc
per 15
10
5
0
I consider financial approaches based on the
I consider financial instruments that aim to
user-pays principles
reduce the production of wastewater
Figure 9. Participants who consider financial approaches based on user-pays principles and
instruments that aim to reduce the production of wastewater.
Beneficiaries of the course who `agreed' to having witnessed an increase in awareness of
user-based financing to make wastewater management more sustainable in their
organisations were 27 % (Fig. 10). 32 % felt indifferent when asked if there had been an
increase in the awareness while 20 % `strongly agreed' to having observed it.
An indifference of 34 % was also observed among the respondents when questioned if the
user-based financing to make wastewater management more sustainable was now
commonly accepted in their organisations. A similar percentage `agreed' that their
organisations accepted it.
11

40
35
Strongly disagree
Disagree
30
Indifferent
e
ns
Agree
25
po
Strongly agree
es 20
r
no response
entc 15
per
10
5
0
The awareness on user-based financing
User-based financing makes wastewater
to make wastewater management more
management more sustainable is now
sustainable has increased
commonly accepted
Figure 10. Participants who had observed an increased awareness and acceptance of user-based
financing to make wastewater management more sustainable in their organisations.
Networking
One of the several benefits that come with the wastewater management training is the
potential to form networks among the wastewater managers. This is important as among
others, it allows for consultations and even collaboration in creating wastewater solutions in
regions.
Former participants of the course who regularly consulted with colleagues they had met on
the course were 50 % (Fig. 11). Those who consulted with organisations represented during
their training were 45 %. Only 14 % and 7 % indicated that they never consulted with the
colleagues met or organisations represented at their course respectively.
Use of materials
During the wastewater management training course, participants are introduced to a number
of resource materials including the UNEP/WHO/UN-HABITAT/WSSCC Guidelines on
Municipal Wastewater Management, the Training Manual "Improving Municipal Wastewater
Management in Coastal Cities and the Train-Sea-Coast GPA website. During this evaluation,
those who indicated that they regularly used the UNEP/WHO/UN-HABITAT/WSSCC
Guidelines on Municipal Wastewater Management were 61 % (Fig. 12). 73 % regularly used
the Training Manual "Improving Municipal Wastewater Management in Coastal Cities while
30 % regularly used the Train-Sea-Coast GPA website. 34 % incidentally used the website.
12

60
50
Never
40
Incidental
Regularly
30
no response
20
10
0
In my work I consult collegues I first met in the In my work I consult organisations represented
training
in the training
Figure 11. Participants who consulted with individuals and organisations they met at the training.
80
70
Never
Incidental
60
Regularly
50
no response
40
30
20
10
0
I consult the UNEP/WHO/UN-
I consult the training manual
I consult the Train-Sea-Coast GPA
HABITAT/WSSCC Guidelines on
"Improving Municipal Wastewater
website at
Municipal Wastewater Management
Management in Coastal Cities"
http://www.training.gpa.unep.org
Figure 12. Participants who used some of the material introduced during the training course.
I have not yet implemented fully al of the knowledge gained on the course but have certainly
benefited from the practical experiences from the workshop sessions and industry networking
opportunity. Linda Dudley, Barbados.
13

Section 2: Achievements of the course
The objective of the course `Improving Municipal Wastewater Management in Coastal
Cities' is to support low income countries in developing and implementing sustained actions
to prevent, reduce, control and/or eliminate coastal and marine degradation from municipal
wastewater. This is achieved through strengthening the capacities of wastewater managers
at the municipal level to implement the UNEP/WHO/UN-Habitat/WSSCC Guidelines on
Municipal Wastewater Management. To ensure that this has been achieved, an assessment
of initiatives that the course participants have introduced and/or contributed to as a result of
the training they received from the course is necessary. In this survey, the trainees were
found to have been actively involved in several wastewater management related initiatives
after the course. Below are some of these initiatives.
Note:
* = shows organisation from which the course's trainee informed us of the initiative.
Policy guidelines/regulations
1. Guidelines for monitoring Wastewater Discharge from Hotels within the Kumasi
Metropolis Initiated by: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kumasi, Ghana
Water Company and Biogas Engineering Limited (BEL)*, Kumasi. The process of
developing the guidelines is ongoing.
2. Policy on the management of contaminated lands. Being developed by Chemicals
Control and Management Centre* of the Environmental Protection Agency, Accra,
Ghana. The policy is being developed and training materials on the same will be
incorporated.
3. Establishment of a joint venture of a central treatment plant for industries under a
public private partnership scheme. Initiated by the Lagos State Environmental
Protection Agency*, Nigeria. The process is ongoing.
4. A feasibility study on the conversion of pig waste to biogas & fertilizers. A study by
the Fadama development project*. The study was initiated in 2008 and is till ongoing.
5. Guidelines for waste water management have been captured in the National
Environmental Sanitation Policy which is under review (in 2009). This has been
influenced
by
the
Sekondi-Takoradi
Metro
Assembly,
Waste
Management
Department*, Ghana.
14

Courses on wastewater management initiated and conducted by trainees
after the participating at the GPA wastewater management course
1. Course module developed on solid waste and wastewater management at the degree
courses in Marine Sciences at the School of Marine and Coastal Sciences. This is a
third year course module at the university initiated by a trainee at the Eduardo
Mondlane University*, School of Marine and Coastal Sciences.
2. Training of District Assemblies in the Central and Western regions of Ghana.
Conducted by the Chemicals Control and Management Centre, Environmental
Protection Agency*, Accra, Ghana in 2008 in Takoradi, Ghana.
3. Training information on wastewater management incorporated in a Master of
Philosophy (MPhil.) course on Urban Waste Management at the School of Nuclear
and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana/Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
Kwabenya. This was during the Second Semester of the course between February
May 2009. This was initiated by the Chemicals Control and Management Centre,
Environmental Protection Agency*, Accra, Ghana.
4. Community facilitators training on Environmental health, Solid waste & wastewater
management. The training was conducted in Lindi and Kilwa Districts in Tanzania in
May and June, 2009 by COBIHESA* - Community Based Initiative in Health, Water
and Sanitation, Tanzania.
5. Training on health, safety & environment for wastewater operatives within the
municipality of Mombasa. The course was conducted in Mombasa in June 2009 by
the Coast development authority*, Kenya.
6. Training on innovative techniques on wastewater management targeting managers.
Course conducted in Mombasa in August 2009 by the Coast development authority*,
Kenya.
7. Education
awareness
workshops
on
wastewater
management
targeting
the
community through Community Based Organisations (CBOs). Workshops were
conducted in Mombasa & Malindi in August and October 2009 by the Coast
development authority*, Kenya.
8. Objective Oriented Planning course in water management. The course was
conducted at the University of Technology, Kingston, Jamaica in December 2009 with
contribution from the Rural Water Supply Ltd.*, Kingston, Jamaica.
9. Training on the use/design of constructed wetlands in Suriname, Paramaribo,
together with the National Women's Movement Suriname. Initiated by the Anton de
Kom universiteit* of Suriname.
10. A training that sought to protect the natural environment through pollution prevention
which included training in garbage disposal and waste water disposal. The project
was funded by UNDP Global Environment Fund, Small Grants Programme and was
carried out in the community of Mile Gully (St. Mary), Jamaica by the Ministry of
Water & Housing* (Rural Water Programme).
15

Wastewater management activities initiated/collaborated/influenced due
to the knowledge obtained from the training
1. Feasibility study to establish a composting plant on Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology Campus (Final Year BSc Eng. Student Project). Done in
collaboration with Biogas Engineering Limited (BEL)*, Kumasi, Ghana.
2. Evaluation of the Energy Potential and Bio-fertilizing Effect of the Guinness Ghana
Ltd Biogas Plant for Treating Wastewater (2 Final Year BSc Eng. Student Projects).
Influenced by the Biogas Engineering Limited (BEL)*, Kumasi, Ghana.
3. Energy generation from Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment System: Case study
Korle Lagoon, (Final Year BSc Eng. Student Project). Influenced by Biogas
Engineering Limited (BEL)*, Accra, Ghana.
4. Awareness campaigns in the use of natural resources and importance of mangrove
ecosystem at the Eduardo Mondlane University*, School of Marine and Coastal
Sciences. Ilha, Mozambique.
5. Construction of demonstrative biodigester with students at the School of Marine and
coastal Sciences of the Eduardo Mondlane University*, School of Marine and Coastal
Sciences. Quelimane, Mozambique.
6. Construction of drainage ditches in the Bairrios of litine and Esteu City Council of the
City of the Island* of Mozambique, Moçambique.
7. Nevis Air and Sea Port Authority (NASPA) treatment plant. Environmental Health
Services Division*, St. Kitts and Nevis. St. Kitts and Nevis, Charlestown bayfront.
8. Nevis Air and Sea Port Authority (NASPA) treatment System. Environmental Health
Services Division, St. Kitts and Nevis. St. Kitts and Nevis, Vance W Amory
International.
9. Accra Sewage Treatment Plant using UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed )
system to be rehabilitated using innovative technologies in line with course materials.
Influenced by the Chemicals Control and Management Centre, Environmental
Protection Agency*, Accra, Ghana.
10. Sensitization meeting to local leaders on waste water management at Lindi and kilwa
districts. Lindi Region, Tanzania. Initiated by COBIHESA*-Community Based Initiative
in Health, Water and Sanitation, Tanzania.
11. Public sensitization campaign through Call in Radio Programme on waste water
management in the Southern Regions, Tanzania. Initiated by COBIHESA*-
Community Based Initiative in Health, Water and Sanitation, Tanzania.
12. Vigilante groups against institutional discharge of untreated waste set up in the Mpara
community of Lindi Region, Tanzania. Initiated by COBIHESA*-Community Based
Initiative in Health, Water and Sanitation, Tanzania.
16

13. PhD research on the use of constructed wetlands for the treatment of agricultural run-
off in Commewijne district, Suriname. This was done at the Anton de Kom
Universiteit*, Suriname, in collaboration with the University of Ghent, Belgium.
14. Sensitization and awareness campaigns against erection of structures on sewer
wayleave in collaboration with stakeholders. This was done in the West mainland, of
Mombasa, Kenya by the Coast Development Authority*.
15. Rehabilitation of wastewater collection and treatment facilities on the West mainland
of Mombasa, Kenya by the Coast Development Authority*.
16. Requisition of modern appropriate laboratory equipments under coast region water &
sanitation services improvement program funded by the French Development Agency
(AFD) at the Kipevu treatment site, Mombasa, Kenya. Requisition done by the Coast
Development Authority*.
17. The Rural Water Project (RWP) in the Ministry of Water and Housing has started the
process of building sanitation solutions in partnership with funding agencies.
The
RWP has also allotted a sum in its budget for addressing sanitation problems in the
respective communities in Jamaica (i.e. St. Thomas, St. Mary, Clarendon, and St.
Elizabeth). This was initiated by the Rural Water Programme of the Ministry of Water
& Housing*.
18. Establishment of Drains maintenance unit in Sekondi, Ghana. This was done by the
Sekondi -Takoradi Metro Assembly, Waste Management Department*, Ghana.
17

Participants' Plans
To help direct future training needs and/or support from GPA, it was vital to find out what the
participants were planning to do in their organisations as a result of attending the training.
Some of the issues that were prominently sited as prime issues for action included:
Farming activities
Farmers and activities related to farming came into the limelight. In one case for example,
wastewater was found to be a nuisance due to lack of drainage facilities in the respective
places. A plan to create awareness in effective management of wastewater from aquaculture
farms was proposed. The participant proposed making the wastewater available to vegetable
crop farmers for irrigation and as a source of fertilizer would provide a good solution to this.
In another case, pesticide use by farmers was found to be a problem that needed attention.
The solution proposed was to prepare and offer an intensive training for farmers on the use
of approved pesticides in correct quantities. This was foreseen to help in the reduction of
nutrient pollution from pesticides that go into water bodies down stream.
Wastewater treatment
Choice of water treatment solutions, location and financing was another broad topic that
came into light. One proposal made was to introduce other innovative approaches of
wastewater management in informal settlements. This was going to oversee a healthier
environment since the biggest percentage of the population in the said location live in
informal settlements.
One participant proposed to lobby water providers to consider low cost ways of managing
wastewater from the water systems constructed. This would see more efficient ways of
utilising treated water and a reduction in the pollution of water ways by waste water.
The strategic location of a water treatment plants in order to improve the management of
wastewater was also proposed in one location. One participant thought of the possibility of
promoting the recycling of waste from the treatment plants.
Related to the recycling, one participant is planning to recover energy and nutrients for
utilisation in wastewater treatment systems by involving more anaerobic wastewater
treatment technologies.
Another proposition involves constructing a wetland to complement existing lagoons in order
to further purify the wastewater and re-use it in irrigating a proposed botanical forest. The
final treated wastewater will be more polished with reduced nutrients which would otherwise
pollute the nearby river and the proposed botanical forest will change the aesthetic value of
the university sewage treatments site.
Education, awareness and advocacy
The subject of training came out strongly in the proposed ideas. This included an advocacy
component. Among
· Advocacy and awareness raising to communities along the coast of Mtwara-Mikindani
on waste management. This lead to an improved environmental health and good
waste management in the area
18

·
Use of the TSC wastewater management course resource materials for more training
programmes. This would sensitise more professionals on the guidelines for
wastewater management.
· Giving lectures to colleagues, new employers and administration staff in the
organisation on the topic of wastewater management in order to ensure more
involvement of people in the organisation including the top management.
· Improving the content of the training in wastewater management to develop
participatory action of the people involved and governments concerned taking into
account the sustainable management of wastewater.
· Organise training sessions for persons involved or likely to be involved in the
water/wastewater industry.
· Educate more people about the possibility of using waste water in home and office as
result of effective treatment. This would reduce overreliance on traditional water
sources.
· Educate people on the knowledge acquired from the wastewater course. This will
help them change their behaviour on the misuse of water. It could also lead to ideas
on the need and how to treat effluent discharges.
Stakeholder Involvement
The desire to engage stakeholders more in issues of wastewater management was as well
seen in the issues that the participants were planning to address.
One of the proposals included engaging the coastal towns to improve upon waste
management by involving major stakeholders in order ensure a coordinated effort in waste
management. This closely resembled another proposing to guide stakeholders on best
practices and ensure they comply with recommended wastewater management guidelines.
The guiding is expected to increase and ensure proper maintenance and training of
individuals working in the wastewater management sector.
Another idea involves helping farmers prevent/reduce pesticide pollution to groundwater
sources. This would be in addition to treating available wastewater through the construction
of a wetland system in order to increase availability of usable water through recycling.
Oil pollution and other wastes
Under this theme, there is an intention to increase surveillance on ships regarding emptying
of ballast water and waste management onboard.
There is also a proposal to prevent pollution of coastal water by the mismanagement of used
oil. This will improve aesthetics apart from minimising pollution of coastal water bodies from
the spent oil.
19

Obstacles expected in implementing the plans
Participants were able to identify some of the obstacles they are likely to face when
implementing the ideas they have. They are as follows:
a. The methodology of working out a cost-effective evaluation, transportation and
delivery system, from the aquaculture pond to the farm.
b. Slow/lack of acceptability of the idea by target communities.
c. Difficulty/lack of monitoring and enforcement of ideas implemented.
d. Lack of support from head office.
e. Lack of funding resources to enable implementation of the ideas.
f.
Lack of necessary facilities e.g. lab equipment for water analysis.
g. Change in government/leadership which may jeopardise the continuity of the project.
h. Time constraints to implement the project.
i.
Lack of relevant information and guidance.
...both the organisation where I work and the government, at large, don't seem to show any interest in
adopting and implementing any of the waste water management techniques. An alumnus from Nigeria.
20

Conclusions and recommendations
The course evaluation shows that the modules provided participants with knowledge and
skills that they were able to apply in their work. From the comments received, the overall
feeling is that the course needs to reach more players in the wastewater sector. Therefore
this report recommends that the course be continued to cover not only more managers in the
countries already covered, but also expand its reach in countries not covered yet. This will
ensure that more people are informed and are able to make informed decisions regarding
wastewater management. For this to be effective, the following should be done:
1. There is a need for a modified version of the course that targets senior management
and policy makers concerned with wastewater management. Former participants
indicated that there was an immense lack of political will, which in turn affected
decision making at the senior management level, hampering efforts by the trainees to
implement what they had learnt on the course.
2. A workshop tool for sensitising stakeholders on the ground i.e. local communities
needs to be developed. This will be beneficial to trainees of the course in their
attempt to sensitise the local communities on wastewater management issues and
make it easier for their proposed interventions to be understood and discussed by all
stakeholders from an informed point of view. This will ease the decision making
process and improve chances of acceptability of interventions by local communities.
3. Farmers are another group that came up severally in the responses by participants. It
is also recommended that a tool to educate this special group in regard to waste
production and wastewater management is developed. This will help direct trainees
on how to sensitise farmers who may form a sizeable number of stakeholders in
places where wastewater management interventions are proposed.
Among weaknesses of the course, participants pointed out that it was devoid of sufficient
practical examples and data on wastewater management solutions that have been
implemented before under the guidance of the course materials. This left participants feeling
the course was more theoretical than practical. It is therefore recommended that:
1. UNEP considers embarking on a practical phase of the wastewater course, where it
will support practical implementation of wastewater management projects in
partnership
with
governments,
agencies
and
funding
organisations.
The
implementation should be strictly guided by the modules on the course. Lack of
financial resources was mentioned as a major problem by the participants in their
attempt to implement proposed wastewater management solutions. This will therefore
provide part of the solution to countries/regions that will be selected for support.
2. The practical implementation of the projects should go along with with documentation
of best practices of implemented projects, not forgetting challenges faced in the
process. The documentation should also include passed policies and laws influenced
and/or contributed to by participants as a result of attending the course. This will form
important documentation not only for use as course material but also for reference by
all players interested in the wastewater management sector.
21

Annex
Annex 1: Sample of the Evaluation form
IMPROVING MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT IN COASTAL CITIES
Post Training Evaluation
Dear Course Alumni,
This evaluation is designed to evaluate the impact the training course "Improving Municipal
Wastewater Management in Coastal Cities" has had on your individual performance and on your
organisation. Kindly fill and send it back to us as soon as you can. Thank you very much for your co-
operation.
Section 1
Name and contacts:
(please include current phone number and email address)
Course attended:
(place, month/year)
Organisation:
(Kindly also indicate if: municipal, research institution, educational institution, etc.)
Country:
Section 2:
For the following questions, please indicate your response by circling the appropriate number:
(1=strongly Disagree;
2=disagree;
3=indifferent;
4=agree;
5=strongly agree).
Objective Oriented Planning
In dealing with wastewater management problems, I increasingly ensure that projects are:
1
2
3
4
5
formulated in a structured manner
implemented in a structured manner
evaluated in a structured manner
In my organisation objective Oriented Planning is now commonly used for
1
2
3
4
5
Formulation of projects
Implementation of projects
Evaluation of Projects
Stakeholder Participation in wastewater management projects:
1
2
3
4
5
I take into account the interests of various stakeholders
I make a deliberate effort to involve various stakeholders and ensure
they actively participate in the development of the project
My organisation has increasingly paid attention to interests of the
stakeholders when dealing with wastewater management issues
My organisation has more systematically involved stakeholders in
addressing wastewater issues
22

Technological approaches
In developing technological solutions to wastewater problems,
1
2
3
4
5
I consider approaches based on the principle of pollution prevention
I consider approaches that aim at re-use of resources
I consider the potentials and constraints of centralised vs. decentralised
solutions
In project design, technological & environmental sustainability are major
guiding principles
In my organisation:
1
2
3
4
5
The
awareness
on
alternative
concepts
to
make
wastewater
management more sustainable has increased
Alternative
concepts
to
make
wastewater
management
more
sustainable are now commonly accepted
Finance
In developing solutions to wastewater problems,
1
2
3
4
5
I consider financial approaches based on the user-pays principles
I consider financial instruments that aim to reduce the production of
wastewater
In Project design, financing operation & maintenance on user-based
principles are major guiding principles
In my organization:
1
2
3
4
5
The awareness on user-based financing to make wastewater
management more sustainable has increased
user-based financing to make wastewater management more
sustainable is now commonly accepted
Awareness about financial instruments to reduce the production of
wastewater has increased
Financial instruments to reduce the production of wastewater are
now commonly Accepted
In the following questions, please tick the box that closely reflects your opinion.
Networking:
In my work, I now consult:
Regularly
Incidental
Never
With my colleagues, who I first met in the training
With other organisations represented in the training
23

Use of materials:
In my work, I consult
Regularly
Incidental
Never
The UNEP/WHO/UN-HABITAT/WSSCC Guidelines on
Municipal Wastewater Management
The Training Manual "Improving Municipal Wastewater
Management in Coastal Cities
The Train-Sea-Coast GPA website at
http://www.training.gpa.unep.org
Section 3:
The training has guided us to develop/revise the following policy guidelines/regulations
Policy
Year
developed/revised
Guided by your approach/guidelines/standards, we have replicated or are planning the following
similar training activities on wastewater management:
Training
Location
Date
(Country and locality)
(month/year)
24

We have initiated/collaborated/influenced the following wastewater management activities due to the
knowledge obtained from the training;
(Please include any local projects, waste management plants, advocacy and awareness campaigns
etc.)
Activity
Location
Date
(Country and locality)
(month/year)
Section 4:
What are you
Who do you
What will the
How will you
Any obstacles
When will you
planning to do
intend to
changed situation
get support
(& ideas for
do this?
differently in
involve?
look like?
for the change?
overcoming
(and include
your
(If anyone)
them)
date when done)
organisation as
Inside/ outside
a result of this
your organisation
training?
Please feel free to make additional comments below:
25

Annex 2: Courses evaluated
Number of
Courses evaluated
ACP Course
participants
number
sampled
Paramaribo, Suriname I, July 2007
ACP course 1
22
Beira, Mozambique II, July 2007
ACP course 2
11
Ilha de Mocambique, Mozambique III, August 2007
ACP course 3
4
Kingston, Jamaica I, March 2008
ACP course 4
24
Nairobi, Kenya I, April 2008
ACP course 5,
33
Bridgetown, Barbados I, April 2008
ACP course 6,
28
Accra, Ghana I, May 2008
ACP course 7,
30
Mombasa, Kenya II, July 2008
ACP course 8,
21
Sekondi - Takoradi, Ghana II, July 2008
ACP course 9,
22
Kumasi, Ghana III, July 2008
ACP course 10,
21
Calabar, Nigeria I, September 2008
ACP course 14,
23
Port Harcourt, Nigeria II, October 2008
ACP course 15,
23
Lagos, Nigeria III, December 2008
ACP course 20,
24
Total
13
286
26

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