[Comprehensive cost-benefit evaluation for the improvement of rural water supply in Hunan province]

Comprehensive cost-benefit evaluation for the improvement of rural water supply was conducted according to the national standard methods for analysis of water quality. Results showed total bacteria count and coliform group count in the water declined by 51% after the improvement, and synthetic index of water quality declined to 19% of that before the Improvement. Environmental epidemiological studies showed yearly incidence of hepatitis A, typhoid fever, diarrhea and enteritis decreased by 2.20/1,000, 0.39/1,000, 2.70/1,000 and 14.30/1,000, respectively, as compared with those before the improvement, and with the manpower capital method, economic loss caused by the above-mentioned diseases lowered by 37,238 yuan, economic benefit gained by saving labor-time for water-taking reached 198,644 yuan, and family income increased 164,188 yuan per year. It suggests the above indicators all can be used in comprehensive cost-benefit evaluation of the improvement of rural water supply.