Enhancing Wastewater, Nutrient Management and Sanitation Provision for Marginalized Coastal Communities in Sabah, Malaysia
Estimates show that in Sabah, Malaysia, from the water village of Lok Urai, some 50,000 of the residents, are discharging an estimated 4.2 trillion litres of untreated wastewater directly into the ocean annually.
To tackle this problem, UNEP, UN-Habitat and ACT Malaysia (NGO) are jointly implementing a project entitled “Enhancing Wastewater, Nutrient Management and Sanitation Provision for Marginalized Coastal Communities in Sabah, Malaysia”, with UNEP as the lead organisation.
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Funded by the UN-Malaysia SDG Trust Fund in partnership with the MySDG Foundation.
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Total budget – USD 300,670
By implementing this intervention, the project team aims to provide local communities, as well as policymakers and relevant stakeholders with tools, technologies, the capacity, and overall support to address wastewater and nutrient pollution, develop appropriate policies, lay the foundations to mobilize financial resources as well as enhance behaviour change.
1st Phase (2020-2021): proved the feasibility of the Independent Sewage Treatment Plant (ISTP).
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A low-cost, innovative technology adapted for water settlements.
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Selected as an SDG Good Practices by UN DESA in 2021.
2nd Phase (2021-2022): increased capacities and empowered local communities (with a focus on women) to operate and maintain this treatment technology.
Next phase (2024-2025):
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Commences on 20 May 2024, for a duration of 18 months.
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The expected Outcome of this project is that Marginalized communities in coastal areas of Sabah improve their livelihoods and prevent and address the degradation of marine ecosystems through sustainable sanitation and wastewater management.
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Mainly contributes to SDGs 6 “Water and Sanitation for All” and 14 “Life Below Water”.
