An investigation of the franchising option for water services in South Africa

There is a need in South Africa for institutional innovations aimed at increasing the coverage of water services, and sustaining those services. The paper describes an investigation of an alternative service delivery institutional model, viz the franchising of water services. The paper describes the need for a franchise model that could be developed and made available to emerging entrepreneurs as the basis of a viable business. The franchise would be in respect of components of the water services value chain that are suitable for small business in that they can be readily systematised.