Governance refers to the entire set of systems that control decision making with regard to sanitation development and management. It is about the way in which decisions are made: how, by whom, and under what conditions.

Improved sanitation are fundamental to people’s health, environment and development. Vulnerable groups are particularly affected by poor sanitation. This concerns at first children, women and generally the poor population in peri-urban areas.

Poor sanitation leads to sickness and disease, which lead to low productivity, and, consequently, to poverty. Poverty reduction strategies therefore must include effective water and sanitation interventions if they are to achieve long-term success.

It is important to emphasize that water and sanitation are essential for each of the «Millennium Development Goals», as they affect all forms of social and economic human development. Improved sanitation reduces the environmental burden and increases the sustainability of environmental resources.

Conventional sanitation systems, based on water-borne sewerage, are the accepted manner for removal of human waste from cities. The resulting sanitation systems are not sustainable: As water is used to transport the wastes, they have a high water consumption, making them unsuitable in the long term for regions with water scarcity.

HIV/AIDS, the most devastating global epidemic ever, is a human and developmental drama. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices are essential for maintaining health. People living with HIV have greater need for clean water and basic sanitation.