As part of on-going work on the economics of water and sanitation, the World Health Organization has published two workshop reports on the costing of drinking-water supply systems in South East Asia and the Western Pacific.

The workshops were held in Khon Kaen (Thailand) [1] and Luang Prabang (Lao PDR) [2] in 2008 on the Practical Manual for Costing Improved Drinking-water Supply Systems for Low-income Communities. The Practical Manual, which is produced in collaboration with the University of Geneva, will become available later in 2009.

The report of the second workshop includes case studies on the costing of low-cost drinking water systems in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The development of the Practical Manual is a follow-up to WHO’s global economic analyses of investments in drinking-water and sanitation, and their returns. These indicate the returns to range from US$ 3 to US$ 34 for each US$ invested [3]. WHO is now pilot testing this approach in South East Asia and the Western Pacific Regions to adapt the methodology to national contexts. Pilot testing is being combined with capacity building in the area of costing in the above mentioned countries.

[1] Report of the first workshop on costing of improved drinking-water supply systems for low-income communities – Khon Kaen 3-6 March 2008. Download full report [pdf 1.16Mb]

[2] Report of the second workshop on costing of improved drinking-water supply systems for low-income communities – Luang Prabang, 2008. Download full report [pdf 640kb]

[3] Hutton, G. and Haller, L. (2004). Evaluation of the costs and benefits of water and sanitation improvements at the global level. Geneva, Switzerland, World Health Organization (WHO). Download full report

Web site: WHO - Water, health and economics

Tags: east asia & pacific, financing, water supply