Why This Guide Exists
Feasibility studies are the foundation of every major water and energy infrastructure project. They determine whether a project is technically viable, financially sound, and environmentally responsible. Yet most of the people who approve and fund these projects — government officials, NGO programme managers, corporate decision-makers — aren't engineers.
This guide bridges that gap. We'll walk through the key sections of a typical water infrastructure feasibility study and explain what to look for, what questions to ask, and when to push back.
Section 1: The Executive Summary
Start here. A good executive summary tells you the project's purpose, the recommended solution, the estimated cost, and the expected timeline. If the executive summary is vague or overly optimistic, that's a red flag for the rest of the report.
Questions to ask:
- Is the recommended solution clearly stated, or are multiple options left open without a recommendation?
- Does the cost estimate include contingencies (typically 10–15% for well-defined projects, 20–30% for preliminary studies)?
- Is the timeline realistic given the scope?
Section 2: Hydrogeological Assessment
For borehole projects, this section describes the underground water resources — aquifer type, expected yield, water quality, and sustainability. You don't need a geology degree to evaluate it, but you should look for:
- Aquifer yield data: Is the estimated yield based on actual pump testing, or is it an estimate from regional data? Pump-tested yields are far more reliable.
- Water quality analysis: Has the raw water been tested against WHO or national drinking water standards? Look for specific results, not vague statements like "acceptable quality."
- Sustainability assessment: Does the study address whether the aquifer can sustain the proposed extraction rate long-term, or does it only consider immediate yield?
"A feasibility study that doesn't include a pump test is a feasibility guess. Always insist on field-verified data."
Section 3: Engineering Design
This section details the proposed infrastructure — well design, pipeline routes, treatment systems, storage, and distribution. Key things to look for:
- Design standards: Are the designs compliant with relevant national and international standards (e.g., DIN, BS, ASTM)?
- System capacity: Is the system designed for current demand only, or does it include a growth projection? Best practice designs for 15–20 years of projected demand.
- Redundancy: Is there backup capacity if one component fails? A single point of failure in a water system can leave an entire community without supply.
Section 4: Cost Estimates
This is typically the section that gets the most attention — and where the most mistakes are made. Be aware of:
- Level of estimate: A pre-feasibility estimate (±30–50% accuracy) is very different from a detailed design estimate (±10–15%). Make sure you know which you're reading.
- Included vs. excluded costs: Does the estimate include VAT, project management, environmental compliance, land acquisition, and operational costs? Or just construction?
- Unit rates: Are the unit rates benchmarked against recent, similar projects in the same region? Outdated or imported unit rates will give you unreliable numbers.
Key Takeaway
A feasibility study should give you enough information to make a confident investment decision. If you finish reading it and still feel uncertain about key risks, the study isn't complete — send it back for clarification.
Section 5: Environmental and Social Impact
Every significant water project requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or at minimum an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). This section should address:
- Impact on existing water users and downstream ecosystems
- Waste management during construction
- Community consultation and stakeholder engagement
- Permitting requirements and regulatory compliance
If the feasibility study glosses over environmental considerations, it's likely to face delays during the permitting phase — delays that cost money and erode stakeholder confidence.
Section 6: Risk Assessment
A credible feasibility study openly discusses what could go wrong. Look for a risk register that identifies key risks, assesses their likelihood and impact, and proposes mitigation measures. Common risks include:
- Lower-than-expected aquifer yield
- Unexpected ground conditions (rock, contaminated soil)
- Cost escalation due to material price volatility
- Permitting delays
- Community opposition
A study that claims "no significant risks" should set off alarm bells. Every project has risks — the question is whether they've been honestly assessed and planned for.
When to Get a Second Opinion
If the feasibility study will drive a decision worth over $500,000, consider commissioning an independent peer review. A second engineer reviewing the assumptions, calculations, and conclusions can identify gaps or errors that save far more than the review cost.
This is especially important if the consulting firm that produced the study also stands to win the implementation contract — a potential conflict of interest that's embarrassingly common in the industry.
