Decentralisation

CDD India uses and also advocates for a decentralised approach in integrated water management.

Decentralization : Solving Water and Sanitation Challenges Close to the Source

At CDD India, decentralization is a core principle guiding our approach to sustainable water and sanitation solutions. Decentralized systems treat, manage, and reuse water and waste as close as possible to where they are generated—whether at the household, community cluster, or institutional level. This localized approach optimizes resource efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and enhances resilience.

Why Decentralization Matters ?

Conventional centralized water and sanitation infrastructure often involves complex, costly networks requiring extensive energy, maintenance, and large land footprints. These systems can struggle to meet the needs of rapidly urbanizing areas, informal settlements, and rural communities—especially in resource-constrained contexts

Decentralized solutions address these challenges by:

  • Minimizing resource loss: Treating wastewater locally allows for efficient reuse and recycling, reducing freshwater demand and pollution.
  • Reducing energy use: Smaller systems often consume less power and rely on natural treatment processes.
  • Enhancing adaptability: Localized solutions are easier to tailor to specific community needs, cultural contexts, and geographical conditions.
  • Lowering costs: Decentralized infrastructure requires less capital investment and simplifies operation and maintenance.
  • Empowering communities: Local ownership and involvement improve system sustainability and foster behavioral change.

CDD India’s Decentralization Approach

Since its inception, CDD India has championed decentralization as a pathway to inclusive and sustainable water and sanitation access. Our work encompasses:

  • Design and implementation of decentralized treatment systems such as onsite sanitation units, faecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs), constructed wetlands, and localized wastewater reuse schemes.
  • Prioritizing solutions that recover resources — including water, nutrients, and organic matter — directly at the source, promoting circularity and environmental sustainability.
  • Engaging communities and stakeholders to ensure ownership, inclusive participation, and long-term system operation.
  • Hybridizing nature-based and engineered technologies to optimize performance in limited spaces typical of urban and peri-urban settings.
  • Capacity building and knowledge dissemination across India and other Global South countries to scale decentralized solutions through government agencies, practitioners, and civil society.
Success Stories and Impact

CDD India has supported over 500 decentralized water and sanitation interventions on the ground, each rooted in careful contextual understanding and community collaboration. These projects have demonstrated that decentralized systems can deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable services—often at a fraction of the cost and complexity of centralized alternatives.

From clusters of homes in small towns to institutional campuses and urban slums, decentralization enables practical solutions that work for diverse users, especially marginalized populations often excluded by traditional infrastructure.

Why Choose Decentralized Solutions?
  • Localized treatment and reuse reduce freshwater demand and pollution risks.
  • Lower energy and resource footprints support climate resilience and sustainability.
  • Simple operation and maintenance facilitate community management and longevity.
  • Flexibility and scalability address the needs of growing and diverse populations.

    CDD India continues to advance decentralized water and sanitation solutions as a vital strategy for achieving universal access, improving public health, and safeguarding ecosystems—empowering communities to manage their water resources sustainably and equitably.