WASH & Climate Change  - WASH Institute

WASH & CLIMATE CHANGE 

Ensure climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable WASH systems in vulnerable regions by strengthening infrastructure, improving operational resilience, and empowering communities to adapt to the impacts of rising temperatures, floods, and droughts.

By 2028, we aim to test and implement early warning systems, SOPs and climate resilient flood and drought ready WASH designs benefitting over 500,000 people.

THE PROBLEM

Climate change is disrupting WASH systems that millions in India rely on.

India's average temperature has risen by 0.7 deg C between 1901 and 2018 and may rise by 4.4 deg C by 2100.

India experiences more than 17 major floods every year, with over 80% of the population at risk.

By 2025, 6% of India's districts could face extreme water scarcity. Already, 600 million people experience high to extreme water stress.

Poor WASH increases health burden from waterborne diseases, a leading cause for deaths of children below age five.

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OUR APPROACH

We help cities adopt data driven approach to understand the risks, identify gaps, engage communities, and take action for clean toilets, safe wastewater management, and reuse of treated wastewater.

Assess Climate Impacts

Given the limited data on how climate change affects WASH systems, the WASH Institute conducts in-depth studies to understand the impact of increased temperatures, floods, and droughts on WASH infrastructure, daily operations, and service delivery in target regions.

Build Climate-Resilient WASH Infrastructure

Design and implement WASH facilities that can withstand climate stress—such as flood-proof toilets, rainwater harvesting systems, salinity- and heat-resistant water storage units, and treatment infrastructure engineered for extreme temperature, flood, and drought conditions.

Strengthen WASH Operations and Services

Establish early warning systems and comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the operation and maintenance of WASH facilities. These measures ensure uninterrupted water supply and sanitation services during disasters through emergency response protocols and adaptive maintenance plans.

Empower Communities and train frontline workers

Develop targeted communication materials to raise community awareness on emergency WASH protocols and their role in adaptation. Provide hands-on training to WASH frontline workers to enable rapid, effective response during climate-related disruptions

Develop policy and guideline

Position the WASH Institute as a national thought leader by developing technical manuals, operational guidelines, and policy recommendations to promote the widespread adoption of climate-resilient WASH infrastructure and service models across India.

Resources

Explore research, publications, and tools related to this program.

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Technical Manual

Climate resilient WASH Systems in India - Conference Proceedings

The Conference on Building Climate-Resilient WASH Systems in India, held on 27th and 28th November 2024 in Thiruvananthapuram, brought together over 200 stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to address the urgent need for climate-resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) systems. The Conference explored the intersection of climate change and WASH, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities and the need for inclusive, sustainable solutions. Over two days, participants engaged in thematic discussions, case studies, and workshops to identify actionable strategies for building resilience in WASH systems.

National
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Training Toolkit

CRA WASH Toolkit

The CRA WASH Toolkit is a practical guide designed to empower smaller Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to implement effective climate change adaptation measures within the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector. It addresses the scarcity of national and state-level resources by translating high-level climate data into localized, actionable strategies. The toolkit adapts the CHVA methodology from WRI India, applying it to a simplified WASH value chain to help local stakeholders assess vulnerabilities and make informed decisions. The ultimate goal is to enhance the climate resilience of urban WASH systems and protect the most vulnerable residents.

National
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Research Paper

Disaster Waste Management Protocol - Kerala

This document is a comprehensive Disaster Waste Management Protocol for the state of Kerala. It establishes a standardized framework for managing both solid and liquid waste generated by natural and human-induced disasters across all districts. The protocol details procedures for preparedness, response, and recovery phases, clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of government agencies, local bodies, and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination. Key components include guidelines for sustainable practices like recycling and safe disposal, safety measures for workers and volunteers, and a focus on resource efficiency.

Kerala
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