“Burden of Inheritance” published in October 2009 by WaterAid India, report is an outcome to understand the complex and shameful practice of manual scavenging which unfortunately still exists in our country.

This report tries to seek answers to the question: Why have we not been able to eradicate manual scavenging? To get to the bottom of this scourge, the report has first explored the question: why are people continuing in this occupation despite availability of other dignified livelihood sources? Why is manual scavenging in practice in towns and cities where other cleaner options for survival exist? When there are feasible and viable technological alternatives to dry toilets, one of the drivers of this occupation, why does the practice continue?

Access to safe drinking water and sanitation is essential for protection and promotion of health. It is a basic human right and a key component of effective public health delivery system. "Disease Burden due to Inadequate Water & Sanitation Facilities in India", is a study conducted by the Sulabh International Academy of Environmental Sanitation (SIAES) and published in 2008 with support from World Health Organization (WHO). The study documents the need and impact of provision of safe water and sanitary excreta disposal facilities towards preventing infectious diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis etc.

The case study titled “Making nightsoil-based biogas plants viable in Maharashtra’s Pune district” has been written by Dr. S V Mapuskar in India Infrastructure Report, published in 2007 by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). It presents Dehu village of Maharashtra’s Pune district, where some families allow their neighbours to use their toilets for a nominal maintenance charge making attached biogas plants economically viable. The strategy has also eased the village Panchayat’s responsibilities for human nightsoil management and reduced environmental pollution due to open defecation.