EBC

The European Benchmarking Co-operation (EBC) is an industry-based, not-for-profit benchmarking initiative for water services. It aims to facilitate water utilties in improving their performance and raising transparency.

Supported by

Mission of EBC, a co-operation of four European national water associations, is to facilitate water utilities in the continuous process of improving performance and transparency by:

• offering an international benchmarking programme for water services;
• providing a platform for exchanging leading/best practices of management and operations;
• exchanging knowledge and experiences on benchmarking.

Benchmarking is a proven management instrument for performance improvement through systematic search and adaptation of leading practices. It is not a single action, but a continuous, cyclical process consisting of of two consecutive steps: performance assessment and performance improvement.

To assess a water utility's performance, the EBC-partners have developed a performance assessment model for water- and wastewater activities, that fits larger as well as smaller utilities. The model applies the variables and indicators as defined in the Performance Indicator system of the International Water Association (IWA). EBC not just focuses on costs, but analyses all key performance areas: water quality, reliability, service, sustainability and finance & efficiency, in order to show a balanced view on a utility's performance.

For performance improvement, EBC organises benchmarking workshops to exchange knowledge and best practices and prepare performance improvement plans. Where possible, site visits are organised in connection to these workshops. 

Since 2007, EBC annually organises benchmarking exercises, with a growing number of utilties participating from all over Europe and even beyond.

Click here for information about the present benchmarking activities.

The International Water Association (IWA) fully supports EBC’s benchmarking programme.