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

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 the stagnation of water coverage. In contrast piped water schemes common in urban areas are metered and managed 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 People and Appropriate Technology Centre have on-going research under which a meter for handpumps is being tested. This product has been introduced to entrepreneurs with the expectation that they will prove to be better managers of water points than the current committees. The results have been mixed with the current water-meter not adequate for high-yielding boreholes. However, there is unmistaken increase in revenue owing to the water meter.