From data to decisions: understanding information flows within regulatory water quality monitoring programs

Authors: Emily Kumpel, Clara MacLeod, Kara Stuart, Alicea Cock-Esteb, Ranjiv Khush & Rachel Peletz

Most countries maintain regulatory requirements for testing of drinking water supplies to guide treatment procedures and ensure safe water delivery to consumers. It is unclear, however, if water quality data are always used effectively, particularly in low-resource settings. Efforts to improve the use of water quality data will benefit from a comprehensive understanding of existing systems for managing and sharing information. This study evaluates the methods used to organize, analyze, and transmit drinking water quality data among 26 water supplier or surveillance institutions and two regulatory agencies in six countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

 

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