Publications

Over the years IRC has (co-)published more than 100 books, pamphlets and papers on key water and sanitation topics. New titles are added on a regular basis. An increasing number of these are available online, free of charge. This includes the series of Thematic Overview Papers (TOPs), which combine recent experiences, expert opinions and foreseeable trends with links to the most informative publications, websites and research information.

Climbing the Water Ladder - Multiple-Use Water Services for Poverty Reduction

This book shows how multiple-use water services (MUS) are best suited to meeting people’s diverse water needs.

Read more or download TP52_Climbing_2009.pdf (3.64 MB)

Evaluating & Improving the WASH Sector - Strengthening WASH Governance, Learning about Complexity, Assessing Change

Over recent decades, several events and trends resulted in an increased focus on development agencies’ results, hence an increased demand for quantitative measurement in general, and impact evaluation in particular.

Read more or download TOP23_EvaluatingWASH.pdf (1.91 MB)

Conflict mediation in the water and sanitation sector: And how to reach solutions

This TOP explores current thinking about conflict management in the water and sanitation sector and is meant for individuals who want to understand more about the way to analyse, understand and help to manage conflicts.

Read more or download TOP22_Conflict_08.pdf (790 kB)

¿Saneamiento para todos?

Después de introducir el tema de saneamiento, este Documento Temático (TOP) mira la perspectiva histórica y aborda diferentes “tipos” de saneamiento, tales como saneamiento básico, saneamiento ambiental y saneamiento ecológico. Continúa con la explicación de los elementos de un sistema de saneamiento y de los diferentes grupos de interés involucrados. Se discuten enfoques para la selección de tecnologías y el TOP concluye con un número de libros, artículos y documentos, sitios Web y contactos relevantes.

Read more or download TOP20_San_Sp.pdf (1.71 MB)

Integrated Risk Management to Protect Drinking Water and Sanitation Services Facing Natural Disasters

This TOP identifies the essential nature of water and sanitation services in human development and in recovery from natural disasters. It explains how integrated risk management is helping countries deal with the increase in extreme natural events and how prevention is better and much cheaper than cure.

Read more or download TOP21_RiskMit_08.pdf (1.25 MB)

Thematic Overview Papers

Do you need to get up to speed quickly on current thinking about a critical issue in the field of water, sanitation and health?

Each TOP will contain enough immediate information to give a grounding in the topic concerned, with direct access to more detailed coverage of your own special interests, plus contact details of resource centres or individuals who can give local help.