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Published on: 16/01/2013

They also require information on the state of water services and water resources, as well as the performance of projects, programmes, and service providers. Robust and transparent monitoring systems are needed to help ensure that every person in the world has access to sustainable drinking water services.

Monitoring systems must enable timely acquisition, analysis, and verification of quality data—resulting in information that is well-documented and shared, to be discussed or even challenged. Effective monitoring systems can facilitate decision-making and lead to action. In order to be effective, monitoring systems need to be firmly embedded in the local and national institutions responsible for ensuring water supply services. In addition, monitoring systems between different levels (i.e. local and national) need to be compatible and connected.

Monitoring rural and small towns' water supplies for an entire country, or even a state, remains a challenge. A monitoring system needs to work within the realities of: decentralisation (institutional and fiscal), national and local capacities, decision-making culture, finance, external support agency practice and political will, as well as the degree of free speech and confidence of civil society. On the flip side, a robust and transparent monitoring system should help to change these realties for the better.

Topic 2 of the symposium will share experiences of government-led monitoring. Based on 12 case studies, five sessions will enable participants to understand the different approaches at local and national levels around the world. The scope, processes, costs and effectiveness of different monitoring systems will be examined with reflection on how government-led monitoring can be encouraged and effectively supported.

Continue to read about topic 3, or return to the IRC symposium 2013 pages here.

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