2014年-世界发展银行全球_Do_Pro-Poor_Policies_Increase_Water_Coverage__An_Analysis_of_Service_Delivery_in_Kampalas_Informal_Settlements_93页_1mb

Summary of "Do Pro-Poor Policies Increase Water Coverage? An Analysis of Service Delivery in Kampala's Informal Settlements"

Core Content

This report evaluates the impact of pro-poor policies implemented by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) in Kampala, Uganda, from 2004 to 2010, with a focus on informal settlements where the majority of poor households reside. The study was conducted in collaboration with the World Bank and the Water and Sanitation Program to assess the effectiveness of these reforms and to identify lessons for scaling up similar initiatives.

Main Objectives

• To assess the impact of pro-poor policies on water coverage in Kampala.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the policies in reaching poor households.
• To identify challenges and areas for improvement in service delivery to the poor.
• To provide recommendations for enhancing the pro-poor approach in the urban water sector.

Key Findings

• Pro-Poor Policy Success: The pro-poor policy has led to a significant expansion of water services in poor households, with 2,405 new yard taps and 663 public water points (PwPs) installed, benefiting approximately 81,000 people.
• Financial Sustainability: The policy has improved the financial viability of NWSC through a doubling of connections and tripling of revenue between 2004 and 2010.
• Operational Efficiency: The NWSC has enhanced its operational efficiency by employing better-trained staff, improving billing systems, and increasing community engagement.
• Affordable Connections: The Affordable Connections Policy reduced the cost of water connections and increased access, though it was also expanded to non-poor households.
• Prepaid Water Metering: The introduction of prepaid meters at PwPs has increased consumer acceptance and reduced reliance on middlemen.
• Geographical Targeting: The use of output-based aid (OBA) through the Global Partnership for Output-Based Aid (GPOBA) has enabled the targeting of poor households, though progress has been slow.
• Reduction in Private Water Points: The policy has led to a reduction in privately managed water points, which typically charge higher prices.

Key Challenges

• High Connection Cost: The cost of connecting to the water network remains a barrier for poor households, as it is 74% of their average monthly income.
• Low Subsidy for the Poorest: Subsidies for the poorest households are minimal, as they share connections and consume less water.
• Nonpayment Issues: Nonpayment of water bills has led to high disconnection rates, undermining service expansion efforts.
• Lack of New Connection Fund: The 11% tariff surcharge intended to fund new connections was not ring-fenced, leading to misallocation of resources.
• Fragmented Network Expansion: Water main extensions have been carried out on a project-by-project basis, lacking a coherent long-term strategy.

Recommendations

I. NWSC Can Implement Alone

• Develop a Long-Term Strategic Business Plan: To ensure coherent and sustainable expansion of services to poor and underserved areas.
• Set Clear Pro-Poor Targets: At company, branch, and individual staff contract levels to drive investment and service delivery.
• Establish a Dedicated New Connection Fund: To ensure proper allocation and use of funds from the 11% tariff surcharge.
• Improve Marketing and Payment Methods: Enhance availability and understanding of prepaid tokens, and explore alternative payment methods like mobile phone-based systems.

II. NWSC Can Implement with Government Support

• Ease Legal Constraints for New Connections: Allow alternative documents like voter lists or community guarantees instead of land titles for poor households.
• Rationalize Cross-Subsidies: Adjust subsidy levels to maximize total revenue and ensure better financial sustainability.
• Improve Cross-Subsidy Effectiveness: Encourage higher water consumption among poor households by addressing water supply capacity and alternative sources.
• Revise Tariff Structure: Introduce an increasing block tariff for non-poor domestic customers and waive automatic tariff increases for public water points.
• Equalize Water Prices at PwPs: Standardize water prices for public water points and Presidential Pledge taps to ensure equity.

III. Outside NWSC's Control

• Address Land Tenure Barriers: The KCC should work on improving land tenure systems to enable better access to urban infrastructure.
• Close or Rehabilitate Unsafe Water Sources: The GoU and KCC should adopt a clear policy to close or rehabilitate unsafe water sources in informal settlements, which currently meet up to 50% of the water demand.

Key Policies and Instruments

• Affordable Connections Policy: Reduced connection fees for households within 50 meters of water mains.
• Pro-Poor Tariff Policy: Introduced differentiated tariffs for domestic, non-domestic, and public water points.
• Pro-Poor Targeting Project: Funded by GPOBA to subsidize connections in poor settlements.
• Pro-Poor Branch: Established to monitor and promote pro-poor initiatives and improve service delivery in underserved areas.

Conclusion

The pro-poor policies implemented by the NWSC have significantly increased water coverage in Kampala's informal settlements, but challenges such as high connection costs, low subsidies, nonpayment issues, and lack of a strategic business plan remain. A coordinated effort between the NWSC, the GoU, and development partners is necessary to scale up these initiatives and ensure long-term financial and operational sustainability.