The adoption of the approach outlined here would require changes to existing institutional arrangements. The first step would be to revise the regulations governing installation of rainwater tanks, waterless toilets or greywater treatment and recycling systems. Such institutional revision would also enable households to refrain from connecting to the sewerage system.

The present health regulations governing rainwater tanks, dry-composting toilets and greywater-recycling systems would need to be reviewed. Clearly, health objectives need to be secured but innovations in these technologies need to be recognised and improvements acknowledged in revised regulations controlling the installation and management of such systems. The powers of local government authorities would need to be revised to enable them to approve developments using modern water services and sanitation facilities.

City water corporations might sensibly be able to revert to their original role as a ‘health authorities’. This would resolve the conundrum created by the enthusiastic adoption of the Chadwickian approach to the supply of potable water and the provision of sanitation services.