| dc.description.abstract | This research study was carried out in Kiganjo Division within Gatundu South Constituency. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of water sector reforms in enhancing sustainable provision of water and in particular determine the influence of water sector reforms in enhancing; community participation, reduction of non-revenue water, willingness to pay for water and gender equity in access to water. The study was prompted from issues raised on community participation, non- revenue water, financial sustainability and connectivity to piped water supply.
The literature reviewed was in line with Community Participation, Non- Revenue Water, Willingness to Pay for Water and Gender Equity in access to Water, all of which were geared towards achieving enhanced sustainable provision of water. Primary data was collected through use of close ended questionnaires. The population size was 200 water customers living within a radius of two kilometers from Kiganjo Township in Kiganjo Division in Gatundu South Constituency. Probability random sampling was used to select the respondents. The C. K. Morgan table was used to arrive at the sample size of 134 respondents which comprised 51 (38.1 %) males and 83(61.9%) females.
The data collected was edited, coded and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The study established that 120(89.6%) of the respondents were not aware of water sector reforms although 100(74.6%) had noted changes in service delivery. The study established that the quality of water supplied as rated from average to high quality was 123(91.8%). The study also established that there was low community participation as evidenced by a low percentage of respondents who had knowledge of the existence of Board of Directors and the Directors representing their interests.
The research established that majority of water customers 107(79.9%) had metered connections and 66(49.3%) would make reports of illegal connections while 89(66.4%) would make reports on leaking pipes. All these indicators contribute towards reducing non revenue water (NRW) and thus enhance sustainable provision of water.
The study established that 74(55.2%) of the respondents paid their water bills on monthly basis while only 66(49.3%) had water payment as their first priority when it came to payment of services in their households. 66(49.3%) of the respondents said the distance to payment centers affected their willingness to make regular payment for water while 65(48.5%) said receiving erroneous water bills reduced their willingness to pay as 39(60.0%) of these respondents had to wait until the error was corrected before paying their bill. Low willingness to pay impact negatively on financial sustainability of the WSP and consequently reduces sustainable provision of water.
The study established that 99(73.9%) of the respondents had active water connections and hence were accessing piped water within their households where 75(56.0%) responded that their connections were registered after incorporation of GASW ASCO and although water supply was rationed 82(61.2%) received water from two times and above in a week where 66(49.3%) responded that they were satisfied with the frequency of water supply.
The study concluded that there was gender equity in access to water since majority of the households had active connections. This enabled the women who ordinarily would have been going to fetch water from alternative sources to carryout other economic activities. The study recommended that community mobilization should be carried out to sensitize the community on their role in enhancing sustainable provision of water. It further recommended that the WSP should work with the community and encourage them to make reports on illegal connections and leaking pipes so as to bring down the level of NRW. | en_US |
