DLI 4 recognizes the high rate of failure of water supply infrastructure and focuses on ensuring the continued functionality of drinking water services that have been constructed, rehabilitated, or upgraded under DLI 3. Under this DLI, water services that remain operational and meet the Program’s technical and service standards are eligible for recognition and performance-based incentives in subsequent Program periods. This approach emphasizes sustainability and ensures that infrastructure investments continue to deliver benefits over time.
A sustainably functioning water service is defined by several criteria. It must continue to provide reliable access to safe water to the designated population, with management maintained by a recognized service provider such as a public utility, registered WASH Committee, Water Consumer Association, or licensed private operator. Beneficiary numbers are calculated based on reported access and follow established per capita conventions and national or state standards. Household connections are assumed to serve an average of five people per household unless a state-specific estimate is available.
All infrastructure under DLI 4 must continue to comply with technical standards, service level criteria, and minimum conditions. This includes adherence to quality assurance procedures, ongoing operation within an established environmental and social (E&S) screening and assessment mechanism, and sustained application of resilient design principles. These requirements ensure that infrastructure is able to withstand climate-related risks such as droughts and floods, and that services remain reliable, safe, and inclusive over time.
Progress under DLI 4 is measured annually, with disbursements linked proportionally to the number of beneficiaries accessing sustainably functioning water services. Verification combines desk reviews of submitted documentation with physical inspections of a representative sample of water services. Sampling is stratified by service provider and geographic area, covering urban, small-town, and rural systems to ensure that performance claims accurately reflect service functionality and beneficiary experience.
By linking incentives to continued operation, DLI 4 reinforces a culture of long-term sustainability within the WASH sector. It encourages service providers and institutions to maintain infrastructure, proactively manage risks, and implement maintenance and monitoring systems that ensure services remain functional. This DLI complements DLI 3 and Sub-DLI 3.1 by ensuring that the expanded access achieved through new and rehabilitated infrastructure translates into durable, reliable services for communities, ultimately contributing to improved public health, social equity, and resilience.