IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute

The provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a key preventative measure in reducing the spread of COVID-19, and handwashing has been at the forefront of many countries’ response. However, this response to COVID-19 has posed, and continues to pose, detrimental effects on services delivery and sustainability. This study analyses, assesses, and discusses the socio-economic effects of the pandemic in relation to its impact on WASH systems and services. 

The assessment is structured around two different stages of the crisis: i) the immediate effects in the early stages of the pandemic and ii) the indirect secondary effects caused as the crisis evolves into new phases. The first stage discusses effects such as limited access to safe WASH services, ruptures in supply chains and interruptions of services, and decline in the quality of response due to restricted or no movement of utility staff. The pre-pandemic context has undoubtedly mitigated or exacerbated the severity of these effects, with the highest impact felt in countries with weak governance and poor services. Therefore, contextual elements, such as fragile or inadequate services, limited capacities, etc. are also integrated in this first stage of the discussion. The second stage relates to the effects caused by the measures taken to contain and control the pandemic. The secondary effects have affected, and will continue to affect, the continuity, affordability, and safety of water and sanitation services in the short-, mid- and long-term. This study identifies i) the negative consequences and emerging threats that are already challenging and will continue to jeopardize the delivery of services, paying special attention to the most vulnerable segments of population and ii) the opportunities for transformation and recovery, which can support and accelerate progress towards safely managed services for all. To do this, the study combines a comprehensive, non-systematic review of the literature and interviews with key informants, including government officials, regulators, service providers, donors, and WASH programme implementers.