Guidelines for planning and providing multiple-use water services

Published by the IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on behalf of the MUS Group, Guidelines for Planning and Providing Multiple-Use Water Services provides a comprehensive operational framework for designing water systems that meet both domestic and productive needs in rural and peri-urban communities. Moving beyond conventional single-sector silos, the manual outlines a six-step project cycle—ranging from awareness raising and situational assessments to strategic visioning, financial structuring, implementation, and sustainable service support. It equips practitioners, engineers, and local authorities with practical tools and methods to integrate water resources, align cross-sectoral funding streams, and enhance livelihood resilience and gender equity for vulnerable populations.