Climate change is disrupting water and sanitation services worldwide, with the most devastating effects felt by low-income communities that already struggle to access safe and reliable services. Droughts strain water sources, while floods destroy fragile infrastructure and contaminate supplies. For the millions living in urban informal settlements, climate change is not a future threat; it is a daily reality that exacerbates their struggle for dignity and health.
Climate-resilient water and sanitation services are no longer a nice-to-have, but an urgent need. Urban water and sanitation service providers are at the forefront of climate impacts. They’re the ones responsible for keeping water flowing and sanitation safe, often with limited staff, tight budgets, and growing demand. When these systems fail, the consequences are immediate and unequal: it is women walking further for water, families exposed to disease, and low-income communities left most at risk.
Globally, the water sector is believed to contribute to almost two per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, with wastewater and sanitation accounting for the largest share, emitting methane and nitrous oxide gases with significantly more global warming potential than carbon dioxide. At a city level, the impact becomes even more striking, with studies showing that poor sanitation services could be responsible for up to half of the greenhouse gas emissions. This is why one of our Big Initiatives is extending WASH services that both reduce emissions and are resilient to climate impacts.
Aerial view of Mandrangobato in Antananarivo, Madagascar, highlighting the dense urban landscape typical of the city’s low-income communities
Our approach: Building resilience and implementing mitigation activities
Our systems-based approach to climate resilience is centred on equipping water and sanitation service providers with tools to adapt and respond to the challenges of climate change. We believe that building resilience starts with strengthening water and sanitation service providers themselves. Improving their ability to understand climate risks and act on them is one of the most effective and scalable ways to build climate resilience in cities, ensuring that all residents have access to safe water and sanitation.
We support future-proofing of infrastructure that can withstand floods and droughts and extend services to the most climate-vulnerable communities. Simultaneously, we work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from sanitation systems and power services with renewable energy. This strategy ensures that the vital services we help establish today will endure for tomorrow. This work is not theoretical. It is happening on the ground, in partnership with utilities and communities, creating replicable models for urban resilience.
Our work on future-proofing WASH
Across our countries of operation, we are implementing this approach through targeted
interventions that address local climate vulnerabilities.
- Solarising water supply in Zambia
In Chazanga, frequent power cuts due to low flows over the Kariba dam leave the community without a reliable water supply. WSUP’s intervention goes beyond pipe repairs; we are supporting Chazanga Water Trust to solarise the boreholes that feed the system. This shift to clean energy ensures a continuous water supply despite grid instability, building climate resilience into the very heart of the city’s water system and safeguarding water access for thousands.
- Flood-resilient sanitation in Bangladesh
In the flood-prone informal settlements of Chattogram, standard pit latrines routinely overflow, contaminating water and soil. WSUP is constructing properly lined, flood-resilient sanitation blocks. These facilities are designed to remain operational and contained during heavy rains, protecting community health and preventing the spread of waterborne diseases.
- Reducing water losses in Madagascar
In Antananarivo, tackling non-revenue water (NRW) is a priority given the high level of water stress. WSUP partnered with the utility JIRAMA to implement advanced leak detection and pressure management systems. By reducing NRW, we are making the system more efficient and drought-resilient, ensuring every drop of treated water reaches those who need it most, a critical adaptation in a water-stressed region.
Why this systems-based approach is non-negotiable
These examples are not isolated projects; they are components of a unified strategy. Climate-resilient WASH is about more than raised latrines and solar panels. It is about:
- Strengthening governance: Empowering utilities with the data, skills, and financial models to manage climate disruptions.
- Prioritising equity: Ensuring that climate adaptation intentionally targets the most vulnerable communities, who contribute least to the crisis yet bear its greatest burden.
- Generating evidence: Using our on-the-ground implementation to prove what works, influencing national policies and attracting larger-scale investment.
To learn more about our climate-resilient WASH initiative and how you can support or be part of it, please email: partnerships@wsup.invicomm.com