Each of the Source News Service versions has a different language and regional target audience, while the electronic and paper versions cater for people who have greater or less access to electronic communication respectively. They all seek to reach the same range of stakeholders directly or indirectly involved with water supply, sanitation, and hygiene provision, mainly in developing countries. These include policy makers who help to shape the legislative, policy or financial framework within which services are provided. Important elements within the target audience are people and organisations working at decentralised level, whether local authorities, NGOs, CBOs, field workers or others. Some parts of this audience are involved every day in the sector. Others may have contact with the sector through specific projects for example, when they are involved with a relevant financing initiative. Other specific audiences include external donors, consultants and NGOs working in the sector, higher education students, service suppliers, and financial institutions with an interest in the sector in poor and developing countries.

Around 85 per cent of the subscribers of the Source Bulletins and Sources Nouvelles Edition Speciale on paper are based in the developing world. More than 90 percent of the Spanish version reaches readers in Latin America.