WFC 1.1 Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE)

The Household Water Insecurity Experience (HWISE) Scale is a globally recognized tool used to measure water insecurity at the household level. It assesses key aspects such as access, availability, and adequacy of water resources.

The WISE (Water InSecurity Experience) scale is a 12-question survey developed by researchers at Northwestern University to more holistically capture human experiences related to water access, use, and reliability for domestic needs. It has already been used by over 100 organizations in 55 countries.

Helvetas uses the HWISE (Household Water Insecurity Experiences) version of the scale. HWISE data help reveal the adversity families face in relation to water services—both before interventions and how these experiences may evolve afterward. These data are used to demonstrate the project’s contribution to reducing adversity and, thus, improving families’ health and overall well-being.

Helvetas first applied the HWISE scale in Nepal in 2021. As of 2025, HWISE has been integrated into surveys in Bangladesh, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Mali as part of the charity: water monitoring framework, and in Benin and Burkina Faso under the Swiss Water and Sanitation Consortium monitoring framework.

For annual reporting, we aim to tell the story of change in HWISE scores before and after drinking water supply interventions. Calculation of this indicator requires two data collection points—typically baseline and endline surveys. However, for projects with longer cycles, reporting can also be based on baseline to mid-term or mid-term to endline comparisons. Annual reporting will therefore draw on data from projects that meet these data collection criteria.

Required reading:  For colleagues new to WISE scales, Northwestern University’s A Manual for Implementation and Analysis of People’s Experiences with Water (2024) is a must. This document has a lot of information meant to inform survey design, data collection and analysis, but it does not need to be read cover-to cover.  For those contributing to data collection, the six pages of the Implementation Section, 5a-5d, are most important. Those interested in learning about what the WISE Scales are and their utility for research and practice will want to read Sections 2 and 3. Those who are focused on assessment design will be most interested in Section 4. Implementers will be most interested in Section 5, and analysts in Sections 6 and 7.

Recommeded reading: The 2024 WISE Scales Impact Report: Measuring Human Experiences to Advance Safe Water for All by Northwestern University (with contributions by Helvetas) gives ten examples of how WISE data can advance work on water.

• Gender 

• Age  

• Left behind/vulnerable population group  

People living in households within the catchment area of newly built or rehabilitated improved drinking water points/services by HSI or HSI supported (implementing) partners (primary stakeholders) and people living in communities where HSI has supported public or private actors for improved water management (secondary/indirect stakeholders).

Use longitudinal household surveys with the target population, if possible, ensuring that the same households are surveyed at both baseline and endline. This comparison between the two points provides essential insights into changes in water security over time.

• Baseline

• Endline

If possible midterm

Baseline Survey: Conducted at the beginning of the project. The baseline survey may be conducted after a needs assessment once the target group has been identified, that is which households are targeted for access to (at least) basic water supply services.   

Endline Survey: Conducted at the end of the project or some time after the households have accessed basic water supply services. Given seasonal variations in water access and use, it’s recommended to conduct both baseline and endline surveys during the same season to ensure comparability.

Baseline and endline should ideally occur in the same season to ensure comparability, especially regarding rainfall and temperature. The follow-up should allow enough time for the intervention to take effect—governance changes may take longer than infrastructure upgrades. For monitoring, Helvetas recommends a minimum of 3–6 months post-intervention, focusing on communities where water systems have been operational for at least 3 months. To assess lasting impact, consider measuring again after 1–2 years

Note: Data for indicators WFC 1.1, WFC 1.2, WFC 1.3, and WFC 1.4 should be collected during the same data collection activity.