Sustainability is the likelihood of the service continuing to be provided over time. WASH Alliance International's FIETS defines sustainability as an integrated approach in which water, energy and food scarcity risks are managed while ensuring inclusive green growth. FIETS identifies five components of sustainability: financial, institutional, environmental, technical and social. In the water sector context sustainability is seen as maintaining the perceived benefits (including convenience, time savings, livelihoods or health improvements) of investment projects (including pipes, pumps, sewage works) after these projects have been installed. In other words, the indefinite provision of a water service with certain agreed characteristics over time. The sustainability of the service not only depends on the technical or physical attributes of the system, but also the financial, organisational (support functions) and managerial capacities of the service provider. [Source: WASH Alliance International - FIETS sustainability portal ; Lockwood, H. & Smits, S., 2011. Supporting rural water supply : moving towards a service delivery approach. Rugby, UK: Practical Action, IRC and Aguaconsult. P. 23-24]
