Perspectives are different frameworks from which to explore the knowledge around sustainable sanitation and water management. Perspectives are like filters: they compile and structure the information that relate to a given focus theme, region or context. This allows you to quickly navigate to the content of your particular interest while promoting the holistic understanding of sustainable sanitation and water management.
In this technical note, the delivery systems normally considered for rural villages are described in terms of three levels of service. These depend on the constructing, operating and maintenance costs and techniques, and their impact on the consumer's health and convenience.
USAID (1982): Methods of Delivering Water. Washington D.C. (USA): United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Water for the World -Technical Note No. RWS. 4.M URL [Accessed: 15.05.2019]
This manual is intended for the managers and technicians in charge of the operation and maintenance of the urban drinking water supply systems. It is a guide to strengthen the technical, operational and managerial capabilities required of the concerned personal in order to maintain acceptable norms of quantity, quality, reliability and cost.
CPHEEO (2005): Manual on Operation and Maintenance of Water Supply Systems. New Delhi: Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organization (CPHEEO), Indian Ministry of Urban Development URL [Accessed: 15.05.2019]
This report compares different water utilities in Africa, in regard to their size, operation, efficiency, and also debt and liquidity. Yet, it also contains more general information, such as an economic and regulatory overview of water utilities (water utility business models, performance agreements, management, availability of water and sanitation, regulatory environment, tariff structure etc.).
WSP (2008): African Water Utilities Regional Comparative Utility Creditworthiness Assessment Report. Kenya: Water and Sanitation Program - Africa Regions URL [Accessed: 15.05.2019]
Compilation of the water balance and non-revenue water in Asia. The publication contains strategies to reduce non-revenue water and other losses through case study, examples and practical measures.
MCINTOSH, A.C. (2003): Chapter 9. Non-Revenue Water. In: MCINTOSH, A.C. ; (2003): Asian Water Supplies. Reaching the Urban Poor. . URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
Case study presentation on Ibague, Colombia, to reduce non-revenue water. Leak detection campaign and commercial losses action plan.
LUPO, F. NGUYEN, P.A. NGUYEN, N.H. (2005): Non Revenue Water Reduction. (= Non Revenue Water Reduction ). FLUIDIS-WMI URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
Water brief on non-revenue water in Asia (30% of its production) examples of applicable measures and positive results.
ADB (2007): Curbing Asia's Nonrevenue Water . (= Water for All Water Briefs ). Asian Development Bank (ADB) URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
Guidance notes aimed at staff with little or no experience in leak detection and location techniques and practices. Compilation of international leakage expert's key best practices and technical understandings.
PILCHER, R. HAMILTON, S. CHAPMAN, H. FIELD, D. RISTOVSKI, B. STAPELY, S. (2007): Leak Location and Repair. (= Guidance Notes ). International Water Association (IWA) URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
The Water Audit manual gives guidance on all aspects from when water gets to the distribution system to when water finally gets to the consumer. The scope of this water balance manual covers all aspects from the water supplied to the distribution system as well as water losses and/or used with the distribution system and what eventually reaches to the customer¿s premises and is billed/converted into revenue for the utility. The manual covers the procedures for determination of the various components of the water balance.
UN-HABITAT (2013): Water Audit Manual. (= Utility Management Series for Small Towns , 4 ). Nairobi: UN-HABITAT URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
Guide and sourcebook on urban water supplies, focusing on Asia. It looks at problems and solutions related to water resources management, private sector participation, non-revenue water… The book proposes a new approach to the development and management of water supplies, based on transparent government policy and regulation, and the involvement of civil society.
MCINTOSH, A.C. (2003): Asian Water Supplies. Reaching the Urban Poor. Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Water Association (IWA) URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
Paper presented at the IWA's fourth World Water Congress in Marrakech. Guide to elaborate a “universal” non-revenue water reduction strategy, also applicable in developing countries. Divided in two parts. Part 1: Investigating and Assessing Water Losses, Part 2: Planning and Implementing the Strategy.
LIEMBERGER, R. FARLEY, M. (2004): Developing a Non-Revenue Water Reduction Strategy. Marrakech: International Water Association (IWA) URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
Manual aimed at professionals, for leakage assessment and detection, providing details concerning the main methods and guidelines for their application.
CPHEEO (2005): Chapter 15. Water Audit and Leakage Control. In: CPHEEO (2005): Manual on Operation and Maintenance of Water Supply Systems. New Delhi: 343-368. URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
This handbook describes the methods and procedures of the Rapid assessment of drinking-water quality (RADWQ) applied by WHO and UNICEF to explore the quality of drinking-water from "improved" sources in five countries. The handbook is for adoption by any authority or institution that wants to prepare a snapshot of the quality of "improved" sources of drinking-water, as a first step towards strengthening drinking-water quality regulations.
WHO ; UNICEF (2012): Rapid assessment of drinking-water quality. A handbook for implementation. Geneva: World Health Organization URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
Aimed at professionals, this 6-page publication explains how to calculate a leakage rate and detect and repair leaks.
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (2008): Reduce Leaks Using Water Audits and Leak Detection Surveys. Tumwater: Office of Drinking Water (ODW) URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
Field note on the implementation of non-revenue water programs through case studies of service providers in India and Vietnam. It describes the managerial and accountability instruments developed, complementary to technical measures.
AGRAWAL, P.C. (2008): Performance Improvement Planning. Designing an Effective Leakage Reduction and Management Program. (= Field Note No. 3 ). Washington: Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) URL [Accessed: 14.05.2019]
Typically, the large urban areas represent concentrated demands, both due to large populations and large per capita use and waste. Most urban areas have depleted, polluted or destroyed their local sources of water like rivers, lakes and tanks and in many cases even groundwater. This case study presentsdecentralised approach where powers are devolved to local institutions and where co-ordination among the state, private sector and civil society are ensured for evolving water supply options
SANDRP (1999): Assessment of Water Supply Options for Urban India. Large Dams Have No Case. New Delhi: South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) URL [Accessed: 13.05.2019]
The report investigates access to and use of drinking water in greater detail than is possible in the regular JMP progress reports, and includes increased disaggregation of water service levels and analyses of trends across countries and regions. It focuses on the three key challenges of equity, safety and sustainability.
UNICEF ; WHO (2011): Drinking Water: Equity, Safety and Sustainability. New York and Geneva: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) URL [Accessed: 13.05.2019]The “How it Works” section of the company FLUSHMATE explains the flush system of its low-flush toilets.
A document on water supply evaluation methods.
HICKEY, H.E. (2008): Water Supply Systems and Evaluation Methods. Volume II: Water Supply Evaluation Methods. Emmitsburg: U.S. Fire Administration URL [Accessed: 13.05.2019]
This book provides a general introduction to a wide range of technologies. Among the topics covered are: planning and management of small water supplies, community water supplies in Central and Eastern European countries, water quality and quantity, integrated water resources management, artificial recharge, rainwater harvesting, spring water tapping, groundwater withdrawal, water lifting, surface water intake, water treatment, aeration, coagulation and flocculation, sedimentation, multi-stage filtration, desalination technology, disinfection, household level water treatment, technologies for arsenic and iron removal from ground water, and emergency and disaster water supply. Chapter 21: Water Distribution
SMET, J. ; WIJK, C. van (2002): Small Community Water Supplies: Technology, People and Partnership: Water Distribution - Chapter 21. The Hague: International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) URL [Accessed: 13.05.2019]