MULTI-CRITERIA PRIORITIZATION OF DOMESTIC WASTEWATER MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN URBAN RIVER SYSTEMS: AN AHP-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION ASSESSMENT

Introduction: Urban riverbanks in developing countries are being converted into densely populated settlements with minimal sanitation. Limited safe sanitation infrastructure accelerates the decline in water quality. Health risks increase for communities that use river water. Methods: Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) combined with field-based environmental sanitation assessment was used to determine priority strategies. A household survey was conducted with 200 respondents. Observations were made at five observation point. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with various parties were conducted to support decision-making. Three main criteria consisting of environmental sustainability, cost efficiency, and social support were used for assessment. Individual septic tanks, expansion of communal wastewater treatment plant coverage, implementation of constructed wetlands, and strengthening of community education were the alternative strategies used. Results and Discussion: Cost-effectiveness was the most influential criterion (0.437), followed by sustainability (0.369) and social support (0.195) in the AHP analysis. Public education ranks highest as a mitigation strategy because it plays an important role in encouraging behavioral change, improving sanitation facility maintenance, strengthening institutional involvement, and requiring minimal costs. Integrating the AHP results with field sanitation conditions reveals several major problems, such as poor septic tank maintenance, limitations on communal IPAL, and high rates of direct discharge into rivers. Conclusion: Structured and sustainable public education is a key strategy in domestic wastewater management in urban river areas. Increased public awareness and behavior, supported by technical and institutional interventions, are essential foundations for formulating effective, efficient, and sustainable sanitation policies at the local level.