Building sustainable infrastructure and scaling access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in rural Alabama

This paper examines the strategies used by the organization PEER Consultants P.C in sustainable engineering development.

Focusing on scaling the organizational infrastructure of Black Belt Wastewater Unincorporated Program (BBUWP) to support installation of onsite wastewater systems.

In these unincorporated regions of Alabama, the lack of adequate sanitation infrastructure has led to persistent health disparities affecting historically marginalized communities. PEER Consultants P.C. utilized sustainable engineering practices to scale BBUWP’s installation of onsite wastewater treatment systems, which directly benefit underprivileged residents. Through a case study approach, data were gathered from community engagement activities, participatory workshops, staff training and interviews with stakeholders involved in WASH-related outreach and training.

Findings from this study highlight the importance of aligning technical solutions with socio-cultural, economic, and behavioral factors to ensure the success and sustainability of WASH interventions. The sustainable and scalable approach used in this project enabled the development of culturally sensitive, community-led educational programs, which fostered awareness, acceptance, and commitment to improving local WASH conditions. Additionally, engaging community members as active participants in the project promotes a sense of ownership and empowerment, which are critical to sustaining long-term improvements in sanitation infrastructure. This paper builds on previous literature on WASH solutions in rural settings by demonstrating how interdisciplinary collaborations between engineers, social scientists, health experts, and community stakeholders can effectively address complex WASH challenges. Ultimately, it underscores sustainable engineering as a promising pathway for expanding equitable access to sanitation services and enhancing public health outcomes in Alabama's rural, underserved communities.

Prathyaj Mantha is a systems engineer with a focus on sustainable solutions and environmental engineering. With a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering from George Washington University, he brings interdisciplinary expertise bridging engineering and sustainability solutins. His work at Peer Consultants, P.C. and his work has centered on implementing WASH infrastructure solutions for underserved communities, including OSS deployments in partnership with Black Belt Unicorporated Wastewater Program (BBUWP).