Systemic Equity in Wastewater Management: Preparedness Roadmaps for Health Justice

Valibeigi, Mojtaba; Shahrjerdi, Reza; Bazoubandi, Roghaye

doi:10.22059/ceij.2025.382554.2157

Systemic Equity in Wastewater Management: Preparedness Roadmaps for Health Justice

Articles in Press

Document Type : Technical Notes

Authors

¹ n 70- 25 west st

² Buein Zahra Technical University, Buein Zahra, Qazvin, Iran

10.22059/ceij.2025.382554.2157

Abstract

This study examines how prioritizing systemic equity can transform wastewater management into a foundation for health justice by ensuring that infrastructure and policies are inclusive and resilient. The pandemic has highlighted that inequities within wastewater systems exacerbate public health threats, leaving marginalized communities vulnerable to poor sanitation and increased exposure to pathogens. While affluent areas were able to utilize tools like wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for outbreak tracking, underserved regions faced challenges with overwhelmed treatment facilities. This research identifies key barriers to equitable wastewater management, including fragmented governance, chronic underinvestment, and gaps in technology, and assesses how these issues were worsened during the pandemic. Through qualitative analysis of policy documents and global case studies, the study proposes strategies for building pandemic-resilient infrastructure. It emphasizes decentralized systems, inclusive governance, and climate-adaptive upgrades. The study advocates for actionable strategies such as equity-centered funding, cooperative frameworks that integrate public health and environmental agencies, and community-driven surveillance networks to democratize access to WBE. Ultimately, this research argues that equitable wastewater management is vital for pandemic resilience. It outlines a pathway to transform these systems from sources of inequity into tools for universal health protection through targeted investments and participatory governance.

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