TABLE 2.

Categories of WASH Expenses Included in Costing Study

Cost CategoryDefinitionExample Included Expenses
Capital hardwareInfrastructure or equipment purchases required to establish WASH services or implement changes to service delivery method that are not consumed during normal service operation.

  • Sanitation facilities (superstructure with squat pan/seats, pit/septic tank)

  • Water source and pipe network

Capital softwarePlanning, procurement, and/or initial training costs associated with establishing new WASH services or implementing changes to WASH service delivery method.

  • Initial infection prevention and operations and maintenance trainings delivered upon establishing infrastructure

MaintenanceExpenses required to repair and maintain functionality of capital hardware, including labor costs required for these purposes.

  • Breakdown repairs (e.g., clogged pipes)

  • Cleaning of toilets, patient care areas

  • Supplies for water system testing (e.g., arsenic, residual chlorine)

Recurrent softwareNecessary trainings, behavior change, and other nontangible produced to be delivered each year for the upkeeping of the established and other introduced practices.

  • Annual infection prevention training

  • Annual WASH FIT meetings

PersonnelLabor costs associated with normal operation of a service, including staff benefits; labor costs for maintenance (e.g., plumbers and repair technicians that are outsourced) are included under maintenance.

  • WASH focal person

  • Support staff

ConsumablesProducts and supplies that are consumed during normal operation.

  • Handwashing soap

  • Cleaning detergents

  • Cleaning tools (e.g., mops, brooms)

SupportExpenses required to strengthen WASH provision but that do not have direct service outputs.

  • Communication

  • Capacity-building

  • Abbreviations: WASH, water, sanitation, hygiene, cleaning, and waste management; WASH FIT, Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool.