Cost recovery for piped rural water supply systems in developing countries: case studies from Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda

A number of piped rural water supply systems in Africa are not functioning. One of the reasons attributed to this is poor cost recovery in these systems. The study was conducted to investigate and evaluate cost recovery using a case study approach covering six water supply schemes in Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. Literature review, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, observation and document analysis were used to collect data. Findings showed that tariffs were set by water supply design consultants and operators in consultation with the community. Revenue collected in two systems recovered the operation and maintenance costs. The on-going use of alternative sources was found to undermine cost recovery and highlighted intermittent water supply and high tariffs. Users perceived good water supply service as a form of accountability for revenue as more important than the provision of information about revenue and expenditure.