The European Court of Auditors concluded that fewer than half of the projects examined - 23 projects in 6 sub-Saharan countries - satisfactorily met the beneficiaries’ needs. Despite this conclusion, the Court found that EU support had increased access to drinking water and basic sanitation, using standard technology and locally available materials.

The “European Union Development Assistance for Drinking-Water Supply and Basic Sanitation in Sub-Saharan Countries” special report presented by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) shows that in the 23 projects in 6 sub-Saharan countries, increased access to drinking water and basic sanitation, using standard technology and locally available materials. On the other hand fewer than half of the projects examined satisfactorily met the beneficiaries’ needs. And for a majority of projects results and benefits will not continue unless non-tariff revenue can be ensured. In March 2012, a report published by the Commission showed that European action has already helped more than 32 million people to gain access to drinking water.

In particular, the audit found that overall, equipment was installed as planned and was in working order. However, fewer than half of the projects examined delivered results meeting the beneficiaries’ needs. For a majority of projects, results and benefits will not continue to flow in the medium and long term unless non-tariff revenue is ensured; or because of institutional weaknesses (weak capacity by operators to run the equipment installed). The Commission’s project management procedures cover sustainability comprehensively; but the Commission did not make good use of those procedures to increase the likelihood that projects will bring lasting benefits, ECA's report concludes.

In the light of these conclusions, the Court recommends that in a number of respects the Commission should make better use of its existing procedures, so as to maximise the benefits from EU development expenditure in this area and sector.