__NOTOC__<small-title />{{#ev:youtube|JiImkiui-CQ|200|right|<center><font size="2">ldentifying life-cycle <br>costs of rural water supply</font></center>}}
The [http://www.washcost.info/ life cycle cost approach] can be used to monitor levels of service received by users and the [[Costs_of_WASH_Service_Delivery_-_Introduction|costs]] required to deliver these services (Fonseca et.al, 2011). Costs are compared and assessed in relation to the level of service received by users. Services are ranked in a ''ladder'', from no service to high or improved service, based on different criteria. Each step up the service delivery ladder requires a different combination of infrastructure, management systems and human resources.
|style="color:black; background-color:#ffffff;"|Non-problematic environmental impact and safe disposal
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|style="color:black; background-color:#D3D3D3dedede;"|Limited service|style="color:black; background-color:#D3D3D3dedede;"|Platform without impermeable slab; Separated faeces from users
|rowspan="2" style="color:black; background-color:#C0C0C0;"|No use or insufficient use
|rowspan="2" style="color:black; background-color:#C0C0C0;"|No O&M (pit emptying) taking place and the presence of extremely dirty toilets
The service levels and criteria for sanitation can be adapted for use at workplaces and in schools and collegesin schools.
====Water====
|style="color:black; background-color:#ffffff;"|Greater than 20
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|style="color:black; background-color:#D3D3D3dedede;"|'''Substandard'''|style="color:black; background-color:#D3D3D3dedede;"|Greater than 5|style="color:black; background-color:#D3D3D3dedede;"|Problematic|style="color:black; background-color:#D3D3D3dedede;"|Less than 60|style="color:black; background-color:#D3D3D3dedede;"|Problematic
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|style="color:black; background-color:#C0C0C0;"|'''No service'''
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The life cycle cost approach has been developed in the by [http://www.washcost.info/ WASHCost project]. WASHCost was led by IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, running from 2008 to 2012, in rural and peri-urban areas of Burkina Faso, Ghana, India, and Mozambique.
===Key documents===* Fonseca, C. et al., 2011. [http://www.washcostircwash.infoorg/pageresources/1557 briefing-note-1a-life-cycle-costs-approach-costing-sustainable-service Life-cycle costs approach: costing sustainable services]. (WASHCost Briefing Note 1a). The Hague, The Netherlands: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre.
* Moriarty, P. et al., 2011. [http://www.washcostircwash.infoorg/pageresources/753 ladders-assessing-and-costing-water-service-delivery Ladders for assessing and costing water service delivery]. (WASHCost Working Paper 2). 2nd ed. The Hague, The Netherlands: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre.
* Potter, A. et al., 2011. [http://www.washcostircwash.infoorg/pageresources/902 assessing-sanitation-service-levels Assessing sanitation service levels]. (WASHCost Working Paper 3). 2nd ed.The Hague, The Netherlands: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre.
