Tools for Assessing the O&M Status of Water Supply and Sanitation in Developing Countries

 

4 April 2001 - Problems with the operation and maintenance of water supply and sanitation have long been recognised as key constraints to the sustainability of these services. In order to address these problems in both urban and rural areas of developing countries, this document proposes a framework for management and tools for assessing the status of operation and maintenace (O&M) through measurement and evaluation of performance. Nine tools are described in this document, and can be used to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of O&M of water supply and sanitation services. Performance is measured carefully using selected indicators to assess the status of O&M and to highlight success and failures. Managers can use the information on performance to help them formulate policy and implement plans which are relevant to the problems that have been exposed, and conversely to avoid unecessary actions.

These tools will help policy makers and professionals to:

• establish management objectives for O&M performance;
• develop a framework for performance measurement, including systems for reporting;
• carry out measurement and reporting of performance;
• prepare action plans to improve performance;
• implement the action plans;
• continue to monitor and report on performance;
• update and implement the revised action plans

These tools have been developed from earlier work by the Working Group on Operation and Maintenance of the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council.

An on-line version of the document is available at: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/wss/O_M/Tools.htm

Tools for Assessing the O&M Status of Water Supply and Sanitation in Developing Countries (2000), World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland. pp 46