Analysis of trends in the performance of urban water utilities: a case study of Embu Water and Sanitation Company

摘要

Poor performance and lack of sustainability of water utilities in developing countries begs for a reform ofinstitutional and policy environment in which they operate. Kenyan Water Act 2002 was passed, in part,to address reforms to the institutional framework and improving finance mechanisms. This case studyassessed the institutional capacity of Embu Water and Sanitation Company (EWASCO) and the trends inperformance since the water sector reforms. Interview guides, review of documents related to EWASCO,observations and literature review were used to collect information on several performance categories.EWASCO has been accorded substantial but regulated level of managerial and policy autonomy. Astrategic management concept has been used to derive a solution-oriented planning framework for itsoperations. Performance efficiency has been achieved through commercial, managerial and technicalbest practises leading to improved financial sustainability enabling EWASCO to increase servicecoverage. EWASCO has some useful lessons for other utilities.