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{{#ev:youtube|BV_zTDQ1BTk|200|right|<center>WASH FIETS animation</center>}}
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Sustainability is about whether or not WASH services and good hygiene practices continue to work over time. No time limit is set on those continued services and accompanying behaviour changes. In other words, sustainability is about permanent beneficial change in WASH services and hygiene practices. <ref>Richard C Carter, Erik Harvey, Vincent Casey (WaterAid, UK), [http://www.washcost.info/page/1066 User financing of rural handpump water services]. IRC Symposium 2010. Pumps, Pipes and Promises. IRC.</ref>
Several [[Sustainability Frameworks and Tools|sustainability frameworks]] show how to move from failing systems to reliable and lasting water and sanitation services.<br>{{Accordion | sections= {{Accordion-section | title=History | text= Sustainability approaches for the WASH sector began in response to recurring project problems over time, which wasted billions of US dollars invested and resulted in failures such as pump breakdowns or sanitation systems overflowing as toxic pollution into the surrounding environment. With projects abandoned, communities were left, lacking proper fresh water access or hygienic sanitation solutions. This led to the realisation that sustainable service delivery required a sector-wide process of change. <ref>Schouten, T and Moriarty, P. , 2013. [http://www.waterservicesthatlast.org/media/publications/working_paper_3_theory_of_change The Triple-S theory of change. (Triple-S working paper ; 3)]. The Hague, The Netherlands: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre. </ref> }}}}
Several [[Sustainability Frameworks and Tools {{Accordion |sustainability frameworks]] show how to move from failing systems to reliable and lasting water and sanitation servicessections= {{Accordion-section | title=F. I.E.T.S Model | text=This portal uses the basic structure of the [http://www.washalliance.nl/fiets-strategy/ five sustainability elements of FIETS], as developed by the Dutch WASH Alliance, to categorise many different frameworks, approaches and tools of sustainable WASH methods:
*'''<font size="5">F</font>inancial''': continuity of WASH products and services through local financing (free from foreign funds)
*'''<font size="5">T</font>echnical''': operation & maintenance of hardware, by local people, preserves not depletes (natural) resources
*'''<font size="5">S</font>ocial sustainability''': demand-driven, inclusive (equity), gender equal, culturally sensitive and needs-based approach to WASH
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