A Field-Validated KPI-5 Framework for Sustainable and Equitable Performance Assessment of Rural Water-Supply Systems

Ensuring safe, reliable, and climate-resilient drinking-water supplies remains a global challenge, particularly in rural regions where waterworks face raw-water constraints, aging infrastructure, operational inconsistency, and limited institutional capacity. This study presents a field-validated, sustainability-oriented key performance index (KPI-5) developed via multiyear operational records, monitoring datasets, and field inspections across 31 rural waterworks in a state in India. The framework provides one of the first structured, evidence-based, and scalable performance assessment models for rural water supply governance. The KPI-5 integrates five sustainability domains essential for long-term drinking-water security: (1) Water-quality indicators assessing sample-testing frequency, chlorine and turbidity checks at waterworks and households, cleanliness and structural conditions of tanks (Sedimentation & Storage), aerator performance in high-level tanks, filter-bed cleaning cycles, V-notch chamber maintenance, and the integrity of raw- and clear-water storage structures; (2) operational-efficiency indicators evaluating filtration-capacity utilisation, pump performance, leakage monitoring, installation of pressure and flow metres at works and tail ends, logbook accuracy, data-logging reliability, pump-maintenance intervals, and treatment-plant campus hygiene; (3) human-resource indicators assessing staff adequacy, induction training, technical proficiency in water treatment operations, electrical systems, and pipeline networks, as well as documentation quality; (4) demand–supply vs. treatment-capacity indicators examining alignment between supply volume and filtration design, compliance with standard norms, seasonal-demand management, future-demand forecasting, climate-impact preparedness, and the presence of active leak-control programmes; and (5) social-impact indicators capturing user satisfaction regarding water quality and quantity, health-impact perception, adequacy of end-pressure at distribution points, water-borne disease signals, water-wastage reduction practices, and effectiveness of local community-level grievance resolution. Each sub-indicator is evaluated on a 0–5 scale and normalised to a 0–1 domain value. This process produces a cumulative 0–5 sustainability score categorised as Excellent, Good, Moderate, Poor, or Worst. Field findings revealed severe inequities in per capita supply, varying from 21.9 to 892.2 LPCD (liters per capita per day) across neighboring villages, highlighting the need for structured monitoring and transparent governance. The implementation of the KPI-5 enabled the systematic identification of operational bottlenecks, staff-capacity gaps, filtration inefficiencies, and governance weaknesses. A built-in performance recognition mechanism further promotes accountability and long-term operational excellence. The KPI-5 framework unifies engineering performance, institutional capacity, equity in service delivery, public health protection, and climate-aware management into a single sustainability model. Its field validation in an Indian state demonstrates strong global applicability and direct relevance to multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG-3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG-9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG-10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG-11 (Sustainable Communities), and SDG-16 (Accountable Institutions). This framework has the potential to benefit millions of people and provides a sustainable tool for advancing integrated, evidence-driven water-governance systems.