Definition & calculation
Numerator: Number of scheduled water-quality tests (e.g. free residual chlorine, turbidity, E. coli) that were carried out on or before their planned date during the reporting period
Denominator: Total number of water-quality tests planned in the workplan for the reporting period
Divide the number of planned water-quality tests actually completed by their scheduled date by the total number of tests planned in the period, then multiply by 100.
Formula: (Numerator ÷ Denominator) × 100
Means of verification
WASH monitoring workplan, water-quality testing logs and field monitoring checklists
Interpretation
Direction: Higher is better
Typical reporting frequency: Per activity cycle / continuous
Guidance & common pitfalls
Measures adherence to the monitoring schedule, not water safety itself; a test counts only if completed on or before the planned date. Use to track whether routine surveillance is being delivered on time, and pair with a separate result on the share of samples meeting quality standards.
This library is a curated reference to adapt, aligned generically with recognised humanitarian frameworks (Sphere, cluster registries, IASC, CHS and others). It is not an official indicator registry — always use the exact indicator definitions your donor or cluster requires.
Related indicators
- Incidence of diarrhoeal disease among children under five in the target area
- % of households with access to and use of sufficient soap and essential hygiene items
- % of sampled water points / household stored-water samples meeting agreed safety standards (0 CFU E. coli / adequate free residual chlorine)
- % of target community members who can identify at least one functioning channel to give feedback or raise a complaint about WASH services