PREPP - improving utility watsan services to low income consumers

This paper is based on the interim findings from a Department for International Development (DFID) funded research project looking at the application of strategic marketing approaches in urban water utilities in developing countries. The context for the research is that many of these utilities despite increasingly favourable legislation are under performing. Table 1 highlights the low level of piped water services in African cities. This situation is not acceptable if the targets stated in developing country government policies are to be realized. The purpose of the research is to provide utility managers with mechanisms to enable them to use and adapt marketing techniques to provide better services to all consumer groups in a financially sustainable manner. This paper focuses on services to the market segment comprising the ‘urban poor’.