Hyderabad, Oct. 22: Sanitation is a critical public health measure that can prevent diseases and improve community well-being, experts said at a panel discussion organised by the Rotary Club of One Hyderabad (RC1H).
The discussion, titled “Sanitation: A Super Vaccine”, was held at The Leela in Banjara Hills ahead of the club’s Charter Presentation Ceremony. Experts called for greater investment, affordable technologies, wastewater recycling and sustained behavioural change.
They also stressed the need for cooperation between governments, industries, residential communities and citizens to improve sanitation.
Experts Seek Shift in Sanitation Priorities
Dr T. K. Sridevi, Secretary of the Municipal Administration Department and Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration (CDMA), Government of Telangana, said unclear responsibilities often push sanitation into the background.
She recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on sanitation during the freedom struggle. She also called for a shift away from the “flush and forget” approach.
Sridevi said sanitation required greater investment and sustained behavioural change. She added that Rotary could help raise awareness and encourage responsible practices.
Dr Zelalem Birhanu Tafesse, Chief of Field Office at UNICEF India, described sanitation as a “super vaccine”. He explained that effective sanitation and handwashing can prevent diseases and protect communities.
Tafesse also highlighted Rotary’s contribution to the global fight against polio. He cited the partnership between UNICEF and Rotary as an example of effective community mobilisation.
In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Rotary facilitated the services of more than 7,000 volunteers, he said.
Sanitation | Experts Advocate Wastewater Recycling and Innovation
Vivek Pandey, a WASH professional and consultant to the Gates Foundation, called for innovation in wastewater management. He said conventional sanitation technologies had remained largely unchanged in many cities for more than 160 years.
Pandey advocated treating wastewater close to where it is generated. He also recommended reusing treated water for purposes such as toilet flushing.
He said decentralised sanitation systems could reduce freshwater consumption and pressure on conventional sewerage infrastructure.
Pandey cited the ReFlow Model toilet at Lumbini Park in Hyderabad. The system treats wastewater on-site and reuses recovered water, reducing freshwater requirements and dependence on conventional sewage connections.
Meanwhile, Rohit Chandragiri of the British Deputy High Commission’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) highlighted sanitation’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
He noted that sanitation directly or indirectly affects 130 of the 169 targets across the 17 SDGs.
Chandragiri said sanitation influences public health, clean water access, gender equality, education, environmental protection and human dignity.
Mallpani also asked homebuyers to examine wastewater management plans before purchasing villas or luxury apartments.
He noted that certain residential amenities, including high-water-consumption showers, could increase water demand. Therefore, he said, sustainable wastewater management must become an integral part of residential development.
He stressed the importance of translating technological innovation into solutions that communities could adopt widely.
Rotary District 3150 Governor Uday Pilani said sanitation was both an infrastructure challenge and a public health priority. He called for sustained investment, public awareness and behavioural change.
The discussion was moderated by Prof. V. Srinivas Chary, former Director of the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), and Abhishek Nath, founder of LooCafe and ReFlow.
Chary recalled his visit to Japan, where sanitation received priority alongside major infrastructure projects. He urged India to recognise sanitation as a foundation for a healthy society.
The panel concluded that improving sanitation requires coordinated action across infrastructure, technology, wastewater recycling and public behaviour. Experts stressed that sustained investment and institutional collaboration are essential for healthier and more sustainable communities.
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