Odisha’s Digital Sanitation Model Recognised Globally

Bhubaneswar:19/6/26:In a significant milestone for Odisha’s urban sanitation sector and a proud moment for South-South cooperation, the Odisha Water Supply and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) has been selected to mentor the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), Nigeria, under a prestigious global initiative supported by UN-Habitat.

The five-year partnership (2026–2030), facilitated through the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), will focus on strengthening sanitation service delivery in Lagos State through the adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and data-driven governance systems. The selection of OWSSB reflects growing international recognition of Odisha’s pioneering work in digital sanitation management and citywide faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM).

There was a detailed presentation by Athena Infonomics, the technical lead for the programme, highlighting the scope and objectives of the Global Water Operators’ Partnership.

To review the roadmap and chart immediate next steps, a high-level meeting was chaired today by Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, IAS, and attended by senior officials, including Sikha Biswal, FA cum Special Secretary, Bhagyadhar Mohanty, EIC, OWSSB cum Additional Secretary, Debabrata Mohanty, Managing Director, WATCO, Bilash Behera, Engineer-in-Chief, PHEO, Suvendu Sahu, Director, Odisha Urban Academy & Prasant Mohapatra, Technical Resource Person, H&UD department, along with representatives from Athena Infonomics and eGov Foundation.

Under the partnership, OWSSB will provide strategic and operational mentorship to LSWMO, drawing upon Odisha’s successful implementation of the DIGIT platform and its experience in deploying digital tools to improve sanitation governance, service delivery, and citizen engagement.

OWSSB will support Lagos State in designing and operationalising a robust Digital Public Infrastructure framework, covering governance structures, ownership models, institutional arrangements, and long-term sustainability mechanisms. The collaboration will also facilitate the development of a customised Strategic Digital Roadmap and a live Integrated Data Management System (IDMS) to monitor sanitation services and support evidence-based decision-making.

A strong emphasis will be placed on knowledge exchange and capacity building. The programme will include thematic learning clinics, virtual mentoring sessions, peer-learning engagements, and exposure visits to Odisha, enabling officials from Lagos State to witness firsthand the State’s successful citywide FSSM reforms and digital innovations.

The partnership is supported by a consortium of international institutions comprising Athena Infonomics as Technical Lead and Facilitator, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education for capacity building and research support, eGov Foundation as the digital transformation partner, and the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) as Regional Advisor.

Padhee said that Odisha’s selection as a mentor utility under the UN-Habitat-supported programme is a testament to the State’s sustained efforts in building inclusive, technology-enabled, and sustainable urban sanitation systems. She noted that the partnership would not only strengthen sanitation outcomes in Lagos State but also create opportunities for mutual learning and global collaboration.

With this landmark initiative, Odisha is set to showcase its digital sanitation innovations on the global stage while contributing meaningfully to international efforts aimed at improving urban sanitation services and achieving sustainable development goals.