Benchmarking is an important tool for improving performances of water utilities. Properly conducted, it can enhance performance of utilities. Two main concerns are the following: selection of utilities that should be considered for benchmarking and objective and independent analyses available for benchmarking. Both leave much to be desired.
In terms of selection of cities to benchmark with, a major bias stems from implicit assumption that important industrialised cities are the best. Our studies indicate that for many specific performance indicators secondary cities and countries are often ahead of the rest. The Czech Republic has brought its per capita daily water consumption to below 90 litres (lpcd). Cities like Tallinn, Leipzig or Malaga have brought their level water consumption to below 95 litres. Sao Paulo reduced its consumption level from 145 to 120 litres in only one year. Aarhus’ wastewater treatment plant reaches energy efficiency of 153%. The city of Jaipur (India) now informs all its customers the extent of subsidies they receive in water bills. The Czech Republic or cities like Tallinn, Leipzig, Jaipur and Aarhus are not in the water profession's radar.