Policy Constraints in Advocating Ecological Sanitation Systems in Developing Countries Case of biogas recovery from blackwater in Kuching, Sarawak of Malaysia

Sammanfattning: Ecological sanitation (EcoSan) is an emerging wastewater treatment approach that is likely to be more economical and ecologically sustainable as compared to the conventional ?end of pipe? sewer approach. The challenge of advocating such a system is often associated with how the system is incorporated into governmental policy and how this policy is translated into actual implementation. This research was designed to assess these challenges in advocating ecological sanitation by deriving underlying policy constraints based on the case of Kuching City, Malaysia. Kuching is a typical developing city which does not currently have a centralised sewerage system and insufficiently treated domestic sewage has contributed significantly to river pollution within the city. This research identified that in a highly hierarchical decision making government, the most prevalent pre-decision constraints are related to the challenge of effective and accurate dissemination of the ecological sanitation concept and benefits to decision makers. The variation of background and personal interests of the different actors involved is likely to cause differential translation of the EcoSan concept through a multi-level hierarchy. In addition, the lack of a transparent criteria-based decision making process might also hinder the acceptability of ecological sanitation. Post-decision constraints are related to the lack of a formal policy making process, leading to ineffective dissemination and translation of policy goals into actual implementation actions. Differential perceptions, interpretation and awareness, an incoherent legal and institutional framework and a lack of technical capacity are also underlying constraints towards the successful incorporation of ecological sanitation.