Case studies
The following case studies represent diversity not only of place but also of scope, politics, economics, and social considerations. They highlight themes such as the role of politics within the water sector, the viability of self-financed projects, and the role of decentralization and demand-responsive approaches contributing to sustainable service provision. They also represent a gamut of management approaches, such as public-public partnerships, private sector participation, and community owned and managed systems.
The objective of presenting these cases in an overview on cost recovery is to demonstrate the contextual importance of institutional constraints. Hence, these brief cases provide a glimpse into different systems under a variety of different settings, linked by their goals to increase and improve cost recovery.
Rural wells in Zimbabwe
This case study looks at rural water and sanitation supplies in Zimbabwe, and how cost recovery has aided households to obtain safe and sustainable water supplies.
Kerala project in India
This case study provides a look at a community that took the initiative to provide itself with safe water supplies, and how that initiative was replicated to cover most of a government district.
Marinilla, Colombia
This case study presents a good look at how decentralization and private sector participation (with a domestic company) can be to a community's benefit for improved water and sanitation services in rural areas.
Mauritania
This case study looks at the development of small-scale entrepreneurs to address water services needs, and is based on a study programme of the "concessionaires" in Mauritania
Rand in South Africa - ODI
The following case looks at a public-public partnership in the North Westprovince of South Africa and the importance of community involvement -on behalf of both the operator and consumers - to achieving improved cost recovery.
Lusaka, Zambia
This case study looks at a system of pre-payment cards in a peri-urban area.
