Service levels for the four billion people with piped water on premises

ABSTRACT

While more than half of the people in the world have access to piped water on premises, no global assessment has been made of the availability, safety, reliability and affordability of service levels. The range of situations is challenging, but assessments based on performance can raise awareness and equip officials to promote higher and safer piped water service levels. The article explores explanatory variables for service levels and uses descriptive information and expert opinion to triangulate towards conclusions about how service levels vary. Research needs are identified for development of protocols and data classes for a piped water services rating system.

KEYWORDS:

• Piped water
• assessment
• service levels
• utilities
• water safety
• data