An overview of decision support methodologies applied in the sanitation sector

Recently-developed decision support methodologies (DSM) have been emerging in face of continuing sanitation challenges. As the success of a decision is also dependent on the applied methodology, the present work aimed at analysing: i) their objectives and area of application; ii) the way the decision processes are structured; and iii) the stakeholders’ involvement. It was found that the types of selection procedures vary, as well as the technologies under consideration. Used criteria are wide in terms of sustainability dimensions, being either predefined or defined during the decision process. Stakeholders’ involvement is clearly a priority in analysed DSM, although differing in range and in the way they are involved. In conclusion, it is believed that learning from experiences of applied DSM will help to better select and adapt them to other contexts.