Changes

A participatory approach is an approach in which the end users of a sanitation or water system are involved in the planning of the system from the start. This contrasts to the more traditional top-down methods of planning, in which the needs of users were often 'filled in' by officials, who might have a different perception of actual needs of the users. A good participatory approach improves motivation, increases learning and feelings of ownership and enables community empowerment. By raising awareness about the water or sanitation issues, it enables the users to make an 'informed choice' about what will become their system.

Participation of the users is now seen as essential to attain sustainable development. First of all, involving and informing the users helps in ensuring that the identified problems and chosen solutions really reflect the needs and preferences felt by the users. This increases the chance that implemented solutions are really used. Systems which are perceived to be inconvenient, difficult to operate, or in other ways do not correspond to the needs and preferences of the users have a high chance of not being used, or adapted in ways that cause pollution or health risks.