Standard reference

WHO/UNICEF JMP Core Questions on Drinking Water and Sanitation for Household Surveys (https://washdata.org/monitoring/drinking-water)

JMP defines improved and unimproved water sources based on source type. Improved sources: piped water, boreholes/tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, rainwater collection, packaged/delivered water. Unimproved: unprotected dug wells, unprotected springs, surface water, tanker trucks (in some contexts). This vocabulary follows the JMP source type list used in household surveys and facility assessments.

Values

Code Label Standard code Definition
piped_into_dwelling Piped water into dwelling Piped water supply connected directly into the dwelling, yard, or plot (tap on premises). JMP improved source.
public_tap_standpipe Public tap / standpipe Community standpipe or public tap from a piped distribution system shared by several households. JMP improved source.
borehole_tubewell Borehole / tubewell Borehole or tubewell equipped with a pump (hand pump or motorized). JMP improved source.
protected_dug_well Protected dug well Dug well with a lining, cover, and protected opening that prevents surface-water contamination. JMP improved source.
protected_spring Protected spring Spring with a protected catchment structure preventing surface water from entering the supply. JMP improved source.
rainwater_collection Rainwater collection Rainwater harvesting system with a collection surface, gutters, and a covered storage tank. JMP improved source.
water_kiosk Water kiosk / vendor Packaged or vendor-supplied water sold at a designated point (water kiosk, sachet vendor, refill station). JMP improved source when water quality meets standards.
unprotected_dug_well Unprotected dug well Dug well without a lining, cover, or protective structure, susceptible to surface-water contamination. JMP unimproved source.
unprotected_spring Unprotected spring Spring without a catchment structure, open to contamination from surrounding surface water or soil. JMP unimproved source.
surface_water Surface water Water collected directly from a river, lake, dam, pond, stream, canal, or irrigation channel. JMP no-service source.
other Other A water point type not covered by the other categories, such as a tanker truck delivery point or emergency bladder tank.

Referenced by this vocabulary