Glimpse To Sanitation Problems In Bali

Globally, billions of people still lack access to basic sanitation facilities, which affects their health, the economy, the environment, and communities in various ways.

In developing countries of the world, the poor sanitation situation leads to public health hazards like diarrhoea, cholera, and dysentery, resulting in deaths, especially of children, every year.

It costs billions and affects economic growth.

Open defecation practices pollute the environment and detract from the aesthetic beauty of the place.

Poor sanitation poses a significant challenge for countries like Indonesia, where approximately 82% of the population has access to improved sanitation as of 2023, though only around 10% have access to safely managed sanitation services.

Open defecation has decreased dramatically to approximately 3.2-4.2% of the population in 2024, with rural areas continuing to face greater challenges in accessing sanitation.

Although the Indonesian government has taken important measures, such as the Community-based Total Sanitation program in rural areas, these efforts have not yielded the expected results.

Recently, various studies have been conducted in Bali, Indonesia, to understand the reasons why sanitation uptake and sustainable sanitation practices have not become more prevalent.

The results have shown that several factors, including existing social values, social structure, economic goals, mindset towards accepting change, and community rules, have hindered the improvement of the sanitation situation in Bali.

In other words, their understanding of waste and its negative effects is influenced more by societal values than by medical science.

It affects the way technology is accepted, the waste disposal mechanism is viewed, and the construction and maintenance of toilets are perceived.

Thus, the studies demonstrate that a comprehensive understanding of the determinants, such as local values and beliefs, is crucial for addressing complex sanitation situations.

Moreover, understanding the issues is not enough; knowing how to respond to such challenges is the key.

Innovative sanitation solutions are the need of the hour, which the communities can easily accept and are consistent with their beliefs and values.

Rural Highland Bali & Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Sanitation

A glimpse into Balinese culture provided valuable insights into how individual-level cultural perspectives, norms, and values influence sanitation uptake and sustainability.

Some of them are discussed.

It is a well-known fact that open defecation practice increases the chance of illness as it pollutes water and land in multiple ways.

However, the Balinese people believe in balance and harmony between humans and other beings, and they believe that supernatural powers control this balance.

Thus, they do not see the need for the toilet or do not perceive unhygienic sanitation as a cause of concern.

Moreover, they are willing to spend their money on ceremonies that ensure protection rather than building expensive toilets.

The concept of purity also prevents people from accepting sanitation solutions.

For example, people consider locations such as the lower land or the backyard of the compound to be suitable for open defecation.

They believe it doesn’t cause pollution. It creates problems, as toilets cannot be built inside the compounds because they contain dirt or waste.

Additionally, not everyone can build toilets outside the compound due to the unavailability of land or funds.

The space arrangement makes it impossible for sanitation programs to succeed.

Shared community toilets or the reuse of waste are completely unacceptable.

Hence, a comprehensive approach is necessary to improve sanitation in Bali.

Education and awareness are the priorities that can be implemented after gaining the confidence of community leaders.

They should be encouraged to motivate and influence people to follow the best sanitation practices.

It will hopefully facilitate the acceptance and implementation of the Community-based total sanitation program initiated by the government.

It will eventually help establish septic tanks, shared septic tanks, or sewage systems in different localities.

Innovative and affordable solutions are available for use in rural areas to promote sanitation.

Additionally, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions are necessary to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Organica Biotech is a leading company offering advanced sanitation solutions that protect the environment and promote public health.

Bioclean Septic contains septic tank enzyme-producing bacteria that act on the faecal matter and degrade it quickly.

The rural population will be able to avoid the mechanical emptying of septic tanks, which will help them save money.

It can also reduce the burden on government authorities. Additionally, it is completely safe, natural, and eco-friendly.

Bioclean Septic is one of the best products to help improve the sanitation situation in Bali, Indonesia.

Also Read:

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• The Pressing Issue Of Sanitation In Nigeria
• Sanitation And The Unlikely Link To Good Health
  
• Sanitation And Cultural Beliefs: The Indian Dilemma