What you do not measure, you do not cost. What you do not cost, you cannot do...

Published on: 30/11/2012

Reporting systems must change to reflect the real costs of providing services that last.

Using the WASHCost life-cycle costs approach has significant programmatic implications. The yearly costs of WASH have to become transparent and widely known if the chasm between aspirations of water for some and the delivery of at least a basic level of service for all is to be bridged:

• Reporting systems need to change to collect and analyse relevant, up to date expenditure relate to actual services delivered. Governments, donors and NGOs need to ask the right questions and then set up the means to deliver the answers.
• If gaps in data sets are identified, realistic budgets can be calculated to budget for capital maintenance and direct support, including the costs of monitoring, training and technical support.
• Direct support and capital maintenance are costly but are not budgeted for or covered. How can the sector finance these expenditures in areas with very low income levels?