==Examples==
====World Bank-RWSN [https://worldbankva.adobeconnect.com/_a833642795/p5zjz7cg7mp/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal Webinar] life-cycle costing====
In this webinar on life-cycle costing, Catarina Fonseca, IRC senior Programme Officer and the [http://www.washcost.info/ [#WASHCost|WASHCost]] project director, explains the life-cycle cost components. This webinar was part of the World Bank-RWSN Webinar 7, May 15 2012.
==Cost benchmarks==
Based on research from the [http://campaign.washcost.info/life_cycle_cost_approach_promotion/key_findings_on_costing_water_services [#WASHCost |WASHCost]] project], the one-time capital expenditure for preparing and installing a borehole and handpump (at 2011 prices) range from US$ 20 per person to just over US$ 60 per person (see table 1). For small piped schemes, including mechanised boreholes, benchmark costs range from US$ 30 to just over US$ 130 per person. For intermediate and larger schemes benchmark capital costs vary widely from US$ 20 to US$ 152 per person. Recurrent costs benchmarks range from US$ 3 to US$ 6 per person per year for boreholes and handpumps, and from US$ 3 to US$ 15 per person per year for piped schemes.
The costs as shown in table 1 (above) are based on the provision of a basic level of water service, as defined by [http://www.washcost.info/ [#WASHCost|WASHCost]]. A basic service implies that the following criteria have been realised by the majority of the population in the service area: People access a minimum of 20 litres per person per day, of acceptable quality (judged by user perception and country standards) from an improved source which functions at least 350 days a year without a serious breakdown, spending no more than 30 minutes per day per round trip (including waiting time).
Based on research from the [http://campaign.washcost.info/life_cycle_cost_approach_promotion/key_findings_on_costing_water_services [#WASHCost |WASHCost]] project], the cost of preparing and building a traditional pit latrine that can provide a basic level of service ranges from US$ 7-26 (at 2011 prices) (see table 2).
The cost of a pit latrine with a concrete slab, or of a VIP latrine ranges from US$ 36 to more than US$ 350. The benchmark costs of pour-flush or septic-tank latrines range between US$ 90-360 (rounded).
Recurrent expenditure range from US$ 1.5 for low-cost pit latrines per person per year to US$ 11.5 per person per year for the most expensive pour-flush or septic-tank latrines.
The costs as shown in table 2 (above) are based on the provision of a basic level of sanitation service, as defined by [http://www.washcost.info/ [#WASHCost|WASHCost]]. A basic service implies that all the following criteria have been realised by the majority of the population in the service area: At least some members of the household use a latrine with an impermeable slab at the house, in the compound or shared with neighbours. The latrine is clean even if it may require high user effort for pit emptying and other long term maintenance. The disposal of sludge is safe and the use of the latrine does not result in problematic environmental impact.
'''For both water and sanitation cost benchmarks (IRC, 2012):''' <br>
==Links==
<div id="WASHCost">'''WASHCost'''</div>
* WASHCost was five-year action research programme, running from 2008 to 2012. The WASHCost team gathered information related to the costs of providing water, sanitation, and hygiene services for an entire life-cycle of a service - from implementation all the way to post-construction. The WASHCost programme was led by IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre with several partners to collect data in the rural and peri-urban areas of Burkina Faso, Ghana, India, and Mozambique. For more information see [http://www.washcost.info| washcost.info]
* The Costing Sustainable Services online course was developed to assist governments, NGOs, donors and individuals to plan and budget for sustainable and equitable WASH services, using a life-cycle cost approach. The Life-cycle cost approach is a methodology for costing sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene service delivery and comparing the costs to the level of service received by users. For more information see [http://www.washcost.info/page/2448| washcost.info/page/2448]
* Triple-S (Sustainable Services at Scale) is a six-year, multi-country learning initiative to improve water supply to the rural poor. It is led by IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre. The initiative is currently operating in Ghana and Uganda. Lessons learned from work in countries feeds up to the international level where Triple-S is promoting a re-appraisal of how development assistance to the rural water supply sector is designed and implemented. For more information see [http://www.waterservicesthatlast.org/| waterservicesthatlast.org]
