PRIMING THE PUMP: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF SMART WATER PUMPS ON COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA AND MALAWI, WHERE WATER ACCESS IS PROBLEMATIC

摘要

Drawing in particular on recent empirical work in South Africa and Malawi, this paper considers the potential that 'SALT technology' (sustainable, alternative, low-cost telemetry) has to help realize the goal of sufficient water for everyone by improving the functioning of existing infrastructure and by supporting swift and cheap access to information for all stakeholders. It is suggested that pursuing a dual approach (offering water service providers improved monitoring information, and making this information publically available) could result in a more efficient, responsive, transparent and accountable system of water allocation.