Addressing the rural water service challenge of the 2020s and beyond requires a greater depth of understanding from across the natural sciences and engineering, social science, political, and economics disciplines. It requires solutions that fit the contexts of countries and sub-national regions. It needs determination, investment, and new ways of managing and financing services. New technology has its part to play, too. Rural water service provision is a fast-changing, dynamic, exciting, and rewarding field of human endeavour. It is my hope that this book will help to spur progress towards realistic and increasingly effective outcomes for all rural people, especially for those who remain at risk of being left behind in national and international attempts to relieve water poverty and provide domestic water security. -From the Preface