Proportion of households possessing at least one clean narrow-necked or covered water container for drinking-water

Before starting the survey, surveyors should look at the types of water containers typically being used and agree on what they will record as acceptable and unacceptable containers. If the container has not been washed within the past week but there is no visible dirt, which may often be the case if the container is relatively new or the water supply is clear and chlorinated, it should be recorded as clean. If it is observed that suitable water containers are present in the household but are not in use or are being used for other purposes such as storing food, surveyors should discuss this to find out why. Unless there are important reasons why the container is not used for drinking water then it should be recorded as present. For more rapid assessment, a survey of water containers brought to water-collection points could substitute for a household survey although here may not be a representative sample of water containers at any water point.