Access to WASH services in rural areas (Côte d’Ivoire)

Access to sufficient water and sanitation services is a major cause for concern in rural areas of developing countries. To better understand the Biankouma department situation, we surveyed nine villages and three sub-prefectures, covering 449 households. Our findings revealed two living arrangements in the department’s villages: common yards (49%) and single yards (51%). The majority of households, 68%, use tap water (SODECI) as their water source, while 18.93% use borehole water, 11% use well water, and 2% use “marigot” water. Malaria and diarrhea are the most commonly reported diseases, affecting 62% and 32% of households. Furthermore, household wastewater, including shower, laundry, and dishwater, is often discharged into the streets, with laundry and dishwater being the most frequently disposed of. We also discovered that all household waste is sent to unauthorized dumps on the outskirts of villages