Assessing the reliability of open-source data used for spatial characterisation of urban sanitation infrastructure—a field study in Rajshahi, Bangladesh

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dc.contributor.authorSultana, M. Sufia
dc.contributor.authorWaine, Toby
dc.contributor.authorBari, Niamul
dc.contributor.authorTyrrel, Sean
dc.date.accessioned2025-03-20T11:42:27Z
dc.date.available2025-03-20T11:42:27Z
dc.date.freetoread2025-03-20
dc.date.issued2025-03
dc.date.pubOnline2025-03-10
dc.description.abstractUrban sanitation in rapidly growing secondary cities remains a critical challenge, particularly in unsewered areas. This study evaluates the effectiveness of open-source data for modelling the sources and movement of faecal matter in such contexts, with a specific focus on Rajshahi, an unsewered secondary city in Bangladesh. By triangulating data from direct observations, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs), we assess the reliability of using open-source data to map faecal matter flow. The findings demonstrate an 80% alignment between the model’s simulated flow directions and actual field observations, highlighting the potential of using open-source data in urban sanitation management. Furthermore, the study reveals that 80% of buildings are connected to storm drains with many allowing faecal matter to overflow from septic tanks, thus posing a health risk. Despite efforts by the City Corporation to manage the drainage system through reactive measures like drain scraping and unblocking, blocked and overflowing drains remain prevalent, particularly during the rainy season. KIIs and (FGDs) highlight a lack of proactive maintenance and widespread unawareness of sanitation management systems. This integration of field-based insights with open-source data supports for a more proactive, data-driven approach to urban sanitation management in secondary cities, ultimately aiming to enhance public health and quality of life.
dc.description.journalNameEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research
dc.description.sponsorshipEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
dc.description.sponsorshipThis research was funded by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), under the auspices of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water and Waste Infrastructure and Services Engineered for Resilience (Water-WISER), providing a doctoral scholarship to the principal author (M.S. S.) [EPSRC Grant No. EP/S022066/1].
dc.format.extentpp. 8267-8283
dc.format.mediumPrint-Electronic
dc.identifier.citationSultana MS, Waine T, Bari N, Tyrrel S. (2025) Assessing the reliability of open-source data used for spatial characterisation of urban sanitation infrastructure—a field study in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Volume 32, March 2025, pp. 8267-8283
dc.identifier.eissn1614-7499
dc.identifier.elementsID566348
dc.identifier.issn0944-1344
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36158-0
dc.identifier.urihttps://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/23621
dc.identifier.volumeNo32
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.publisher.urihttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-025-36158-0
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 Internationalen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectFaecal matter
dc.subjectFieldwork
dc.subjectOpen-source data
dc.subjectRajshahi, Bangladesh
dc.subjectSanitation infrastructure
dc.subjectUrban sanitation
dc.subjectEnvironmental Sciences
dc.titleAssessing the reliability of open-source data used for spatial characterisation of urban sanitation infrastructure—a field study in Rajshahi, Bangladesh
dc.typeArticle
dc.type.subtypeJournal Article
dcterms.dateAccepted2025-02-18

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