*SEVAI'S Urban Community Toilets Maintenance Program -in Partnership with Trichirapalli Municipal Corporation *

*Community Toilet complex cleaning process by pressure Water Pump*

*Background and Evolution*  

SEVAI’s engagement in urban sanitation in Tiruchirappalli began in 1999-2000 when the Tiruchirappalli Municipal Corporation launched its first community toilet program. Implemented jointly by SEVAI, Scope, and Gramalaya with support from WaterAid, the pilot established 12 community toilet complexes across the city. Maintenance during this phase was carried out by women’s Self-Help Groups promoted by the partner NGOs. Following the pilot, the Corporation undertook large-scale construction of community toilets across Tiruchirappalli.

Recognizing that sustained operation and hygiene management are critical to public health, the Corporation recently entrusted SEVAI and Scope with the upkeep of selected facilities. Since February 2024, SEVAI has been directly managing and operating 12 urban community toilets located in Wards No. 9, 11, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, and 55. Together, SEVAI and Scope now maintain 21 community toilet complexes in Tiruchirappalli, ensuring continuous access to safe and sanitary public sanitation in high-footfall areas.

*Scope of Sanitation Operations*  

SEVAI’s maintenance model is designed to uphold public health standards and ensure uninterrupted service. Core sanitation activities include:

- *Daily Hygiene and Disinfection*: Structured cleaning cycles using eco-friendly disinfectants, thorough sanitation of floors and fixtures, and timely waste removal to maintain microbial safety and control odors.

- *Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Supply Management*: Continuous monitoring of water availability, maintenance of handwashing stations, and regular replenishment of soap and essential toiletries to promote hand hygiene at the point of use.

- *Preventive Maintenance and Repairs*: Routine inspection and prompt repair of doors, locks, plumbing, lighting, and ventilation to prevent facility downtime and ensure user safety.

- *Faecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management*: Coordination with the Corporation for scheduled desludging, safe transport, and disposal in compliance with urban sanitation norms and environmental regulations.

- *Operational Sustainability*: Where applicable, collection of nominal user fees and maintenance of usage records to support cost recovery and transparent management.

*Public Health and Sanitation Rationale*  

Access to functional, clean public toilets is a key determinant of urban public health, gender equity, and human dignity. Poorly maintained facilities are often abandoned, leading to open defecation, environmental contamination, and increased risk of waterborne and faecal-oral diseases. SEVAI’s intervention directly addresses this sanitation gap. By ensuring cleanliness, usability, and accountability, the program reduces exposure to pathogens, mitigates faecal contamination in public spaces, and protects vulnerable groups including women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities who face higher risks in unhygienic conditions.

*Community-Centric Sanitation Management*  

SEVAI deploys 24 trained caretakers across the 12 toilet complexes under the supervision of Mr. Arun Prakash. A monitoring system through field supervisors ensures quality control and rapid response to issues. User feedback is collected regularly to identify and resolve sanitation concerns. In addition, SEVAI conducts short hygiene promotion activities focused on handwashing and safe toilet use. These awareness drives target markets, bus terminals, and low-income settlements where daily wage workers, street vendors, and transit populations have limited access to household toilets.

*Sanitation Impact and Outcomes*  

Through this NGO-Corporation partnership, 12 community toilets in Tiruchirappalli remain operational throughout the year. The facilities serve approximately 5,000 beneficiaries daily, including women, children, and elderly persons. The program reduces open defecation, improves compliance with urban sanitation standards, and eases the burden on households without in-home toilets. It also demonstrates an effective model for sustaining civic sanitation infrastructure through collaborative governance, trained human resources, and community engagement.

By maintaining these facilities with consistent sanitation protocols and care, SEVAI contributes to making Tiruchirappalli a cleaner, healthier, and more inclusive city, aligned with goals for improved urban WASH and public health outcomes.🏖️Govin