But the cycle can be broken because users are prepared to pay for a reliable service. High failure rates and the need for premature rehabilitation of systems Systems stop operating. These failures are most often caused by inappropriate technology choice. Constraints in the local environment, which have been overlooked in the planning phase, make it difficult for routine maintenance to be carried out. These problems, if left unattended, quickly lead to system failure and expensive rehabilitation, well before it should have been needed.
People suffering unnecessarily In the end, consumers suffer the most.
In doing so, they are unnecessarily exposed to major health risks, including diarrhoea, intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, cholera, typhoid, and guinea-worm. These risks can be prevented through adequate water supply and sanitation. The tools have been developed in response to the demand for practical solutions to the sector's problems. They include guidelines, manuals, training packages, and case studies. Individual tools have been designed to meet the specific needs of sector participants, from the information needs of policy makers in both private and public operations to the more practical needs of engineers and technicians.