Integrated approach to assessing drinking water quality and its influence on human health to evaluate effectiveness and performance of project activity

Better provision with high-quality drinking water is among the key targets fixed within the project activity in the Russian Federation. Given inter-regional differences, achieving it requires evaluating effectiveness and performance based on using an integral system of indicators and methodical approaches, which describe the relationship between key performance indicators, water quality and human health.

The aim of this study was to use an integrated approach for assessing drinking water quality and its influence on health of the population in Russia over the period 2019–2024 in order to analyze effectiveness and performance of the Clean Water Federal Project.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of official statistical data provided by Rospotrebnadzor and Rosstat as well as performance indicators of the Clean Water Federal Project over 2019–2024. The study involved using dynamic and cluster analysis methods; assessment of water-related diseases; prevented losses estimated in the equivalent of life expectancy; score and rating evaluations of effectiveness and performance of projects activities per 8 indicators.

Actual results were found to exceed target indicators per the infrastructure (1474 facilities against 1413 as planned) and provision of high-quality drinking water to the population (89.2 % against planned 88.8 %). A decline was established in the proportion of water samples not conforming to safe standards per sanitary-chemical indicators (by 0.74 p.p.) and in water-related incidence (by 1.09 times). Control and surveillance activities performed by Rospotrebnadzor in 2024 made it possible to prevent 4.9 thousand additional deaths and more than 495 thousand additional disease cases. Complex activities accomplished within the Clean Water Federal Project allowed preventing 8.96 % of water-related losses in life expectancy on average in Russia; non-realized potential of life expectancy growth was estimated to equal 1.89 years. The results obtained by using the proposed integrated approach to evaluating effectiveness and performance of the Federal Project revealed inter-regional disproportions: 58.5 % of the regions achieved their key performance indicators as regards providing the whole regional population with high-quality drinking water; 32.1 % (26 regions) showed high effectiveness and performance in project activities.

Limitations of this study include dependence on completeness of available statistical data, a retrospective period and potential influence of neglected factors; another limitation is that the attention focus is on centralized drinking water supply systems.

Implementation of the Clean Water Federal Project has produced a positive effect on the state of water supply system and population health. The results obtained by using the proposed integrated approach revealed effectiveness and good performance of the Federal Project as the key performance indicators were achieved, water-related incidence went down, and life expectancy grew. To overcome the established inter-regional disproportions, especially in regions where performance indicators are low, it is necessary to develop targeted programs that consider stable social and hygienic conditions in a given region.