Management models for piped water supply services : a decision-making resource for rural and small-town contexts

This resource has been developed primarily for WaterAid staff and partners to help select  management models for piped water supply systems in rural and small-town contexts.

It has four sections and two associated posters. Following the introduction, section two describes the major elements affecting the sustainability of piped water supply service provision and the implications for management models. Section three provides an overview of the ten management models applicable to rural and small-town contexts grouped under four primary typologies (CBM, Local Government, Public Utility and Private), using real life examples some of which are from WaterAid’s own experiences. Section four provides a practical guide for the selection of management models by considering a number of programming perspectives, including:

• Commercial viability and economies of scale
• Technical complexity, connectedness and local capacity
• Sector policy, financing legislation and norms regarding management models
• Regulation and accountability mechanisms

The two accompanying posters (not included here) present:

1. A set of case studies of the different management models illustrating the typologies, using real examples and a breakdown of the enabling environment elements, including factors that have constrained or supported the given model;
2. A decision aid to help in selecting appropriate management models for specific contexts, which explores aspects of the four main considerations outlined above.