Two ways that water services could provide water to communities are through a centralized water treatment and distribution system or through decentralized systems such as wells or rainwater harvesting.
A centralized system involves treating and distributing water from a central location to homes and businesses through a network of pipes. This system is typically used in urban areas and requires a large infrastructure to operate.
In contrast, decentralized systems are smaller and can be used in rural or remote areas. For example, wells can be used to extract groundwater, while rainwater harvesting systems can collect and store rainwater for household use. These systems require less infrastructure and can be more cost-effective, but may require more maintenance and monitoring to ensure water quality.