Operation and Maintenance of Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Systems

Describes a systems approach to the operation and maintenance of drinking-water and sanitation services in urban areas of developing countries. Addressed to managers and other personnel with decision-making responsibilities, the book responds to ample evidence that poor management has had the greatest single negative impact on the quality of water supply and sanitation services. The guide, which is intended to serve as a reference source and conceptual framework, covers virtually all the procedures, activities, projects, and areas of managerial responsibility, at different levels, needed to ensure that water supply and sanitation services function continuously, efficiently, and to their full capacity. Emphasis is placed on procedures that can help control water losses.

The book has five parts. The first describes the use of the management systems approach to analyse the functions of drinking-water and sanitation agencies and to solve operation and maintenance problems. Part two, on management, provides a step-by-step account of the key responsibilities and functions involved in managing an agency's operation and maintenance activities. The third and most extensive part serves as a detailed guide to the planning and control of operation and maintenance procedures. While most attention is given to projects for controlling water loss, part three also covers programmes for controlling the production and quality of drinking-water, and for sewage collection, treatment, re-use, and disposal. The remaining chapters describe information systems and the procedures and stages of implementation. Of particular practical value is a five-page tabular presentation of performance indicators that can be used to assess the effectiveness of specific activities.