本文回顾了财务文献中出现的故障预测模型，并描述了水务设施故障分类模型的发展。该方法可作为一个早期预警系统，用于识别失败的供水设施，作为寻求认证的系统的筛选工具，以及作为评估现有系统未来结构变化的可行性测试。尽管财务模型作为一种通用的筛选和评估工具是有用的，但作者警告说，它们并没有完全捕捉到对生存能力重要的其他因素，如管理和技术能力或社区支持供水系统成本的能力。包括17个参考文献、表格和图表。

This article reviews failure-prediction models that have appeared in the financial literature and describes development of a distress classification model for water utilities. The methodology can be used as an early-warning system to identify failing water utilities, as a screening tool for systems seeking certification, and as a viability test for evaluating prospective structural changes to existing systems. Although financial models are useful as a general screening and evaluation device, the authors caution that they do not fully capture other factors important to viability, such as managerial and technical capability or a community's ability to support water system costs. Includes 17 references, tables, figure.