A strategy to enhance management of free basic water via communal taps in South Africa

Konstantin W. Scheihing, Jane Tanner, Matthew Weaver and Matthias Schöniger

Utilities Policy, 2020, vol. 64, issue C

Abstract: About 7.5 million South Africans access gratuitous drinking water via communal taps provided by municipalities under a free basic water policy. Supplying running water for free to low-income communities is essential but can result in water wastage due to a potential indifference of non-paying end-consumers. The consequence is a loss of municipal water and financial resources. We outline a new strategy that rewards low-income communities for reducing water wastage. The incentive strategy promotes water conservation and community development and decreases recurring water-related public expenses. The concept is funded by a percentage of municipal cost savings yielded from the respective water conservation.

Keywords: Water supply; Free basic water; Low-income (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:juipol:v:64:y:2020:i:c:s0957178720300382

DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2020.101043

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