Estimating operations and maintenance costs for water supply systems in developing countries

This report presents a step-by-step technique for estimating O&M costs for water systems prior to their construction. The technique, which presupposes some technical background in water system design and construction, systematically addresses the cost components of a water system and provides forms to facilitate calculation. The cost elements covered are: labor, materials, chemicals, supporting utilities (electrical power, telephone communications), transport, private contractors, and other costs. The authors caution that development of an accurate cost estimate, while facilitated by the technique herein presented, will still require a considerable data collection effort. Includes 50 figures (most of them providing country-specific examples from the WASH Project"s Cost-Estimating Handbook) and 39 tables. (Author abstract, modified)