A Generic Approach to Benchmarking of Water and Sanitation Utilities

This paper details out a simple methodology ev olved to benchmark water and sanitation utilities in terms of a single numerical performance score. The work involved identifying key indicators and assigning weights and mutual integration of these weights with a carefully devised scale over a spreadsheet to obtain performance scores. The weights were decided by employing a 3-tier DELPHI study, while the scale was devised using the mean indicators values available in the literature. This simple approach can reveal not just the relative rankings for partner utilities, but can also help utilities to figure out shortcomings in identified areas so that corrective measures can be adopted. The methodology has been exemplified by benchmarking four water supply utilities in Haryana, India.