Metered handpumps: privately operated handpumps as a way to improve sustainability and service delivery

摘要

In Uganda, Water User Committees dominate management of water supplies in rural areas. However,their failure to efficiently collect user fees to cater for operation and maintenance has led to thestagnation of water coverage. In contrast piped water schemes common in urban areas are metered andmanaged by private operators. Overall, statistics reveal higher functionality rates for metered systems.To encourage private sector engagement in the operation of the point water sources, Water for Peopleand Appropriate Technology Centre have on-going research under which a meter for handpumps isbeing tested. This product has been introduced to entrepreneurs with the expectation that they will proveto be better managers of water points than the current committees. The results have been mixed with thecurrent water-meter not adequate for high-yielding boreholes. However, there is unmistaken increase inrevenue owing to the water meter.