The SaniPath Exposure Assessment Tool is designed to assess public health risks related to poor sanitation. The tool has been used successfully in many developing countries in low-income areas. Data from simple environmental microbiology methods and behavioural surveys are combined to assess the relative exposure to faecal contamination. Relevant exposure pathways include open drains, drinking water, surface waters, public toilets, soil, produce, street food, and floodwater.

The SaniPath Durban project applies the tool in ten communities in eThekwini Municipality, including five informal settlements, three low- to middle-income formal areas, one rapidly densifying rural settlement and one transit camp. A team of 16 data collectors, sample collectors and laboratory technicians were trained in January 2020, including data and sample collection in a pilot study community.

The results from this project will help the municipality to prioritise sanitation investments based on the exposures that have the greatest public health impact.