https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/acb662

A new framework helps us understand how people in low- and middle-income countries access drinking water. By analyzing data from 73 countries, researchers grouped countries into three main types based on water access patterns: Centralized, Decentralized, and Hybrid.

• Centralized countries have more developed water infrastructure, with most people getting water piped directly to their homes or yards.

• Decentralized countries rely more on sources like wells, springs, or surface water that are farther from homes.

• Hybrid countries have a mix of both, often using improved nearby sources and some vended (bottled or delivered) water.

The study found that the most important factors for predicting a country's water access type are:

• How many households own a private car

• Population density

• Per-capita GDP (how much money each person makes on average)

This approach offers a new way to compare and improve water access, focusing on patterns rather than just geography or income.