__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.
The life cycle cost approach has been developed by [http://www.washcost.info/ WASHCost]. 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.