This document provides guidelines for the management of drinking water utilities and the assessment of drinking water services.


This document is applicable to publicly and privately owned and operated water utilities. It does not favour any particular ownership or operating model.


This document addresses drinking water systems in their entirety and is applicable to systems at any level of development (e.g. on-site systems, distribution networks, treatment facilities).


The following are within the scope of this document:


—     the definition of a language common to different stakeholders;


—     the definition of the components of drinking water supply systems;


—     guidelines for the management of drinking water utilities;