Difference Between ODF, ODF Plus and ODF Plus Plus
Difference Between ODF, ODF Plus and ODF Plus Plus
ODF, ODF+ and ODF++ are different sanitation certification levels under the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban. These certifications assess whether a city is free from open defecation, whether public and community toilets are clean and functional, and whether faecal sludge and sewage are safely managed.
The main difference is that ODF focuses on ending open defecation, ODF+ adds cleanliness and functionality requirements for public and community toilets, while ODF++ adds safe collection, transportation and treatment of faecal sludge and sewage.
1. What Is ODF?
ODF stands for Open Defecation Free. It is a sanitation status in which citizens have access to safe toilet facilities and no person is found defecating in the open.
The main objectives of ODF certification are:
- Provide access to toilets for every household.
- Encourage regular toilet usage.
- Prevent open defecation in public and open spaces.
- Provide safe sanitation facilities in public and community institutions.
- Maintain open defecation free status over time.
ODF is the foundation of the urban sanitation certification system. Cities must maintain this status as they progress towards higher certification levels.
2. What Is ODF Plus?
ODF+ means Open Defecation Free Plus. Under the urban certification protocol, a city must maintain its ODF status and ensure that all community toilets and public toilets are clean, hygienic and functional.
The main requirements of ODF+ include:
- The city must maintain its ODF status.
- All community toilets must be clean and functional.
- All public toilets must be clean and hygienic.
- Toilet facilities must be maintained regularly.
- Appropriate operation and maintenance arrangements must be in place.
- Toilet facilities should remain available and usable for citizens.
For example, if a city has achieved ODF status but its public toilets are dirty or non-functional, it cannot meet the additional ODF+ requirements until those facilities are improved.
3. What Is ODF Plus Plus?
ODF++ means Open Defecation Free Plus Plus. It builds on the ODF+ requirements and focuses on safe management of faecal sludge and sewage.
The major requirements of ODF++ include:
- The city must satisfy the applicable ODF+ conditions.
- Individual, community and public toilets must be functional and properly maintained.
- Faecal sludge from septic tanks must be safely collected.
- Septic tank desludging should use appropriate mechanised equipment.
- Collected faecal sludge must be transported safely to appropriate treatment facilities.
- Sewage must be safely collected and treated.
- Untreated faecal sludge and sewage must not be discharged or dumped into open drains, water bodies or open areas.
For example, if a city cleans septic tanks but releases the collected faecal sludge into an open drain without treatment, it does not meet the safe faecal sludge management requirements of ODF++.
4. Difference Between ODF, ODF+ and ODF++
| Parameter | ODF | ODF+ | ODF++ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prevention of open defecation | Required | Required | Required |
| Access to toilets | Required | Required | Required |
| Public toilet cleanliness | Basic ODF requirement | Required | Required |
| Community toilet maintenance | Basic ODF requirement | Required | Required |
| Toilet functionality | Basic ODF requirement | Required | Required |
| Safe faecal sludge management | Not an additional ODF requirement | Not the main additional requirement | Required |
| Safe sewage management | Not an additional ODF requirement | Not the main additional requirement | Required |
| Untreated sludge disposal | Not permitted under safe sanitation norms | Not permitted under safe sanitation norms | Must be prevented |
5. What Is Water+ Certification?
Water+ is another important certification under the urban sanitation framework. It goes beyond ODF++ by focusing on the safe management of used water and wastewater.
The key requirements include:
- Safe collection of sewage and used water.
- Proper transportation and treatment of wastewater.
- Prevention of untreated wastewater discharge into the environment.
- Maximum possible reuse of treated wastewater.
- Safe management of faecal sludge and wastewater.
Water+ certification aims to reduce pollution in rivers, lakes, groundwater and other water resources.
6. Who Provides ODF, ODF+ and ODF++ Certification?
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued standardised certification protocols under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban.
The general certification process includes:
- The urban local body prepares its sanitation facilities according to the applicable protocol.
- The city submits the required information and application.
- An independent third-party assessment agency conducts field inspections.
- Toilets, sanitation facilities and faecal sludge management arrangements are verified.
- Certification is provided when the prescribed conditions are fulfilled.
The Ministry launched revised ODF, ODF+, ODF++ and Water+ certification protocols in June 2022 to strengthen monitoring, verification and sustainability.
7. Difference Between Rural ODF Plus and Urban ODF+
Rural and urban sanitation programmes use different definitions and assessment frameworks. Rural ODF Plus under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen should not be confused with urban ODF+ certification under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban.
| Parameter | Rural ODF Plus | Urban ODF+ |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable area | Villages and Gram Panchayats | Cities and urban local bodies |
| Main objective | Sustain ODF status and achieve comprehensive cleanliness | Maintain ODF status and clean functional public and community toilets |
| Solid waste management | Core component | Covered through separate urban waste management requirements |
| Liquid waste management | Core component | Covered through applicable urban sanitation requirements |
| Visual cleanliness | Required for ODF Plus Model | Covered under relevant urban cleanliness assessments |
Three Stages of Rural ODF Plus
Under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, villages can progress through three stages of ODF Plus:
ODF Plus Aspiring
A village that sustains its ODF status and has arrangements for either solid waste management or liquid waste management.
ODF Plus Rising
A village that sustains its ODF status and has arrangements for both solid waste management and liquid waste management.
ODF Plus Model
A village that sustains its ODF status, has arrangements for both solid and liquid waste management, maintains visual cleanliness and displays ODF Plus awareness messages.
These rural stages are different from the urban ODF+ and ODF++ certification protocols.
8. Why Are ODF and ODF++ Certifications Important?
These certifications encourage cities to move beyond the construction of toilets and develop sustainable sanitation systems.
- They improve access to safe sanitation.
- They encourage regular maintenance of public toilets.
- They improve the safe management of faecal sludge.
- They help prevent untreated sewage from entering water bodies.
- They encourage better municipal sanitation services.
- They support healthier and cleaner urban environments.
9. Official Websites to Check Certification Guidelines
Citizens and urban local bodies can refer to the following official websites for certification rules and government updates:
- Swachh Bharat Mission Urban: Standardised Protocols
- PIB: Revised ODF, ODF+, ODF++ and Water+ Certification Protocols
- Swachh Bharat Mission Urban
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
- Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the full form of ODF?
ODF stands for Open Defecation Free. It means that people use safe toilet facilities instead of defecating in the open.
Q2. What is the difference between ODF and ODF+?
ODF focuses on preventing open defecation and ensuring toilet access. Urban ODF+ adds requirements for clean, hygienic and functional community and public toilets.
Q3. What is the difference between ODF+ and ODF++?
ODF++ builds on ODF+ and requires safe collection, transportation and treatment of faecal sludge and sewage.
Q4. What is Water+ certification?
Water+ focuses on safe collection, transportation, treatment and reuse of used water, along with safe faecal sludge management.
Q5. Who issues ODF certification in India?
ODF certification protocols are issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban. Independent third-party agencies validate city performance.
Q6. Can a city achieve ODF++ without meeting ODF+ conditions?
No. ODF++ builds on the applicable ODF+ requirements and adds safe faecal sludge and sewage management conditions.
Q7. What is ODF Plus Model in villages?
Under the rural mission, an ODF Plus Model village sustains its ODF status, has solid and liquid waste management arrangements, maintains visual cleanliness and displays ODF Plus awareness messages.
Q8. Is urban ODF+ the same as rural ODF Plus?
No. The urban and rural missions use different protocols and definitions. Urban ODF+ focuses on functional and clean public and community toilets, while rural ODF Plus includes solid and liquid waste management and visual cleanliness stages.
Q9. Why is ODF++ important?
ODF++ encourages cities to safely manage faecal sludge and sewage instead of allowing untreated waste to pollute drains, water bodies and open areas.
Q10. Where can I read the official ODF certification guidelines?
The official protocols are available through the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban website and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs government announcements.
Disclaimer
This article explains the urban ODF, ODF+ and ODF++ certification framework under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban. Rural ODF Plus has a separate definition and its own Aspiring, Rising and Model stages. Certification requirements may be revised by the government from time to time. Readers should consult the latest official protocols before relying on specific eligibility or assessment conditions.
