Introduction

The logical conclusion to adopting the aforementioned planning framework is to arrive at the point of implementation and service delivery. This step can only start when the master plan, prepared in the step 5, is available and understood by all stakeholders.

The sanitation planning team, promoters of the whole sanitation programme in the community are still the leaders in this step, however sanitation experts, engineers and agricultural extensionists will be the persons in charge during the technical implementation.

The project might be implemented through a formal construction contract or a voluntary community approach. In the first case, a tender might be needed for the construction of the sanitation systems. Other procurement strategies could be a design and build scheme, and a build, own, operate and transfer conception (BOOT). When formal contracts are used, there is the risk of leaving out the social framework and the needs of the users. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate the community during the implementation step, in order to create ownership of the sanitation system. This requirement might be fulfilled through the continuous activity of the step 2 “Creation of demand for sustainable sanitation”, which is conducted throughout the duration of the project.

In community-managed projects, the members of the community are involved in the construction of the sanitation systems through voluntary labour agreements, in-kind contribution, food for work scheme, and self-help programs where the communities are provided training and resources to carry out the work themselves.

Independently of the procurement strategy to be selected, the implementation phase is divided into initiation and controlling phase, capacity development, construction of units, and operation and maintenance. In sustainable sanitation program, where reuse of the sanitation products is planned, the marketing sub-step 6.5 positions the products in the market.