Strategy and planning of sewage infrastructure for developing countries: experience of Malaysia

Abstract

Sustainable sewerage services require an appropriate strategy and planning. It is a common phenomenon in developing countries where many master plans have been expensively prepared for sewerage infrasructures involving high cost of investment, without preparing a proper legal and financial framework to implement the recommendations and action plan. As a result the master plans remained in bookshelves, without being able to be effectively implemented. This chapter will illustrate an example of sewerage strategy and planning in Malaysia, focusing on non-technical matters and implementation strategies. Malaysia is a good case study because the country has experiences various stages of sewerage infrastructurw development, ranging from individual on-site systems such as septic tanks and latrines to conventional centralised sewerage systems. The development of instituitional and financial systems also could be used as a good case study for developing countries in improving public utilities. Examples will be given on specific measures and options, especially on the financial matters.