The IBNET Water Supply and Sanitation Performance Blue Book

Abstract

The International Benchmarking Network
 for Water and Sanitation Utilities (IBNET) blue book creates
 a baseline and, at the same time, offers a global vision of
 the state of the sector in developing countries. By tracking
 progress in and quantifying and assessing the water supply
 and sanitation sectors, IBNET helps meet the goal of
 providing safe, sustainable, and affordable water and
 sanitation for all. This report serves three purposes.
 First, it aims to raise awareness of how IBNET can help
 utilities identify ways to improve urban water and
 wastewater services. Second, it provides an introduction to
 benchmarking and to IBNET's objectives, scope, focus,
 and some recent achievements. Third, it elaborates the
 methodology and data behind IBNET and presents an overview
 of IBNET results and country data. By providing comparative
 information on utilities' costs and performance, IBNET
 and this study can be used by a wide range of stakeholders,
 including: 1) utilities: to identify areas of improvement
 and set realistic targets; 2) governments: to monitor and
 adjust sector policies and programs; 3) regulators: to
 ensure that adequate incentives are provided for improved
 utility performance and that consumers obtain value
 services; 4) consumers and civil society: to express valid
 concerns; 5) international agencies and advisers: to perform
 an evaluation of utilities for lending purposes; and 6)
 private investors: to identify opportunities and viable
 markets for investments.