A multi-decadal and social-ecological systems analysis of community waterpoint payment behaviours in rural Kenya

Applies a social-ecological systems framework to community waterpoints to assess financial contributions among water users

Abstract

Community-based financing of rural water supply operation and maintenance is a well-established policy principle in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet evidence from over 90,000 waterpoints in five sub-Saharan African countries suggests a majority of communities fail to establish and sustain a revenue collection system. As a result, insufficient finances to repair waterpoints can lead to lengthy downtimes or abandonment, threatening the health and welfare of millions of water users forced to revert to unsafe or distant alternatives. Applying a social-ecological systems framework to community waterpoints in rural Kenya, we empirically assess the prevalence and determinants of financial contributions among water users

This work is part of ‘Insuring against Rural Water Risk in Africa’ project supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the UK Department for International Development.

Citation

Tim Foster, Rob Hope. (2016) A multi-decadal and social-ecological systems analysis of community waterpoint payment behaviours in rural Kenya, Journal of Rural Studies, Volume 47, Part A, Pages 85-96, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2016.07.026.

A multi-decadal and social-ecological systems analysis of community waterpoint payment behaviours in rural Kenya

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Published 3 August 2016