The WPdx Working Group is pleased to share a proposed update to the WPdx Data Standard. The purpose of this update is to:

  • More clearly represent small rural systems by:
    • separating the water technology (#water_tech) parameter into two parameters; one for extraction technology and one for user collection technology
    • adding a new water source treatment parameter
  • Add new parameters focused on seasonality
  • Include a set of suggested standardized responses for use in survey design and data collection efforts
  • Update hashtags to reflect most recent version of HXL
The proposed updated version of the standard can be found by clicking this link. Examples of how the standard would be used for different water points and small water systems can be found below.
 
Feedback on the proposed updates are welcomed and much appreciated. We are specifically interested in hearing thoughts on the list of suggested responses and whether the provided lists are comprehensive based on current field practices. Once the revisions to the standard are finalized, internal WPdx data cleaning processes will be updated to clean existing data to fit the new standard.
 
Please send all comments to info@waterpointdata.org by April 30, 2023.
 

Examples of improved small rural water systems and points using the revised standard:

  • Hand pump with in-line chlorination:
    • #water_source = Borehole or Protected Well
    • #water_source_treatment = Chlorination
    • #water_tech_extraction = Hand Pump
    • #water_tech_collection = Hand Pump 
  • Hand pump from sand dam:
    • #water_source = Sand/Sub-Surface Dam
    • #water_source_treatment = No Treatment
    • #water_tech_extraction = Hand Pump
    • #water_tech_collection = Hand Pump 
  • Tapstand connected to protected spring system:
    • #water_source = Protected Spring
    • #water_source_treatment = No Treatment 
    • #water_tech_extraction = Gravity
    • #water_tech_collection = Public Tapstand
  • Water collected from pipe in protected spring:
    • #water_source = Protected Spring
    • #water_source_treatment = No Treatment 
    • #water_tech_extraction = Gravity
    • #water_tech_collection = Spring Pipe
  • Tap stand connected to elevated tank filled via diesel fueled motorized borehole:
    • #water_source = Borehole
    • #water_source_treatment = No Treatment 
    • #water_tech_extraction = Motorized Pump – Diesel
    • #water_tech_collection = Public Tapstand
  • Rainwater collection:
    • #water_source = Rainwater Harvesting
    • #water_source_treatment = Filtration
    • #water_tech_extraction = Rainwater Harvesting
    • #water_tech_collection =  Rainwater Tap
  •  Rope and Bucket:
    • #water_source = Protected Well
    • #water_source_treatment = No Treatment
    • #water_tech_extraction = Rope and Bucket
    • #water_tech_collection = Rope and Bucket
  • Tapstand on piped system with treated surface water:
    • #water_source = Surface Water
    • #water_source_treatment = Filtration;Chlorination
    • #water_tech_extraction = Motorized Pump – Electric
    • #water_tech_collection = Public Tapstand