The supply of reliable and safe water is a key challenge for developing countries, particularly India. Community management has long been the declared model for rural water supply and is recognised to be critical for its implementation and success. Based on 20 detailed successful case studies from across India, this book outlines future rural water supply approaches for all lower-income countries as they start to follow India on the economic growth (and subsequent service levels) transition. The case studies cover state-level wealth varying from US$2,600 to US$10,000 GDP per person and a mix of gravity flow, single village and multi-village groundwater and surface water schemes. The research reported covers 17 states and surveys of 2,400 households. Together, they provide a spread of cases directly relevant to policy-makers in lower-income economies planning to upgrade the quality and sustainability of rural water supply to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the context of economic growth.

The main objective of the research is the analysis of corruption in infrastructure delivery. This includes a review of accountability initiatives in infrastructure delivery and the nature of the impact of greater accountability.

This book presents contract analyses and case studies from around the world which draw out key lessons both for the local and international reader. The key questions addressed are: Where and how is contracting out being undertaken in the water sector and by whom? Is contracting out delivering benefits through improved efficiency and effectiveness? How can the use of contracting out be further enhanced to deliver improved water and sanitation service provision in low- and middle-income countries?

The supply of reliable and safe water is a key challenge for developing countries, particularly India. Community management has long been the declared model for rural water supply and is recognised to be critical for its implementation and success. Based on 20 detailed successful case studies from across India, this book outlines future rural water supply approaches for all lower-income countries as they start to follow India on the economic growth (and subsequent service levels) transition. The case studies cover state-level wealth varying from US$2,600 to US$10,000 GDP per person and a mix of gravity flow, single village and multi-village groundwater and surface water schemes. The research reported covers 17 states and surveys of 2,400 households. Together, they provide a spread of cases directly relevant to policy-makers in lower-income economies planning to upgrade the quality and sustainability of rural water supply to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the context of economic growth.

'This excellent book makes a major contribution to the literature on regulation in a pro-poor direction for urban water supply. It is extremely relevant for policy-makers striving to achieve the Millennium Development Goal for halving the share of world's population without access to clean and affordable water.' Andrew Nickson, University of Birmingham, UK The aim of this book is to present the potential benefits as well as the challenges of introducing a more formal economic regulatory process into the urban water sector arena in lower-income countries. There is a particular focus upon the impact this may have on the poorest, the informal, slum and shanty dwellers of the rapidly growing cities. Economic regulation, usually introduced in the context of private operation of monopoly water supply, can deliver objectivity and transparency in the price-setting process for public as well as private providers. The book describes and analyses these issues through a consideration of ten country case studies. As a starting point, the current situation for the provision of water and sanitation services for the poorest through non-regulated public providers in India and Uganda is reviewed. Comparative chapters are then presented on Ghana, Philippines, Bolivia, Jordan, Zambia and Indonesia, all with varying degrees of private sector involvement and regulation. Finally the experiences of two richer countries are considered - Chile and England, countries with the longest experience of economic regulation and the 'most privatized' suppliers. In all cases there is a focus on the very necessary role of customer involvement in price-setting and service monitoring and on the role of alternative (private) service providers.

The result of a review of the literature on infrastructure design for urban low-income housing. Covers infrastructure planning; site preparation; drainage; roads and access; water supply; power supply; sanitation; solid waste management.

Provides detailed practical and technical advice intended to guide the selection, design, construction, and maintenance of on-site facilities for the removal of human excreta. Addressed to engineers, sanitarians, medical officers, and project planners, the book concentrates on technical options suitable for householders building their own latrines, whether in small communities, rural areas, or deprived urban settlements. Details range from line drawings illustrating features of design and construction, through a list of reasons why improved sanitation may elicit negative responses from users, to instructions for calculating the internal dimensions of a septic tank. The book features eleven chapters in three parts. Chapters in the first part introduce the foundations of sanitary practice, describe the links between excreta and disease, and explain the numerous social and cultural factors that must be considered at the planning phase. Chapters in the second and most extensive part provide a detailed technical guide to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of all the main options for on-site sanitation.Chapters describe how the different types of latrine work, discuss their relative merits, and set out detailed plans for the construction of latrines and their components. The final part features three chapters on the planning and development of on-site sanitation projects, underscoring the need for a thorough analysis of cultural as well as design features. "...an intriguing book..." - International Journal of Environmental Studies

The aim of this book is to present the potential benefits as well as the challenges of introducing a more formal economic regulatory process into the urban water sector arena in lower-income countries. There is a particular focus upon the impact this may have on the poorest, the informal, slum and shanty dwellers of the rapidly growing cities. Economic regulation, usually introduced in the context of private operation of monopoly water supply, can deliver objectivity and transparency in the price-setting process for public providers also. But this is not, as is commonly assumed, primarily to protect the customer from the provider; rather it is to allow the service provider to set something approaching cost-reflective tariffs. These charges, almost certainly higher than previously, perversely can benefit the poor who have been paying far more for informal access to any piped supplies. With the addition of a regulatory duty to achieve some form of adaptive Universal Service Obligation, economic regulation could contribute significantly to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in urban areas.The book describes and analyzes these issues through a consideration of ten country case studies. As a starting point, the current situation for the provision of water and sanitation services for the poorest through non-regulated public providers in India and Uganda is reviewed. Comparative chapters are then presented on Argentina, Ghana, Philippines, Bolivia, Jordan, Zambia and Indonesia, all with varying degrees of private sector involvement and regulation. Finally, the experiences of the two richest countries, Chile and England, are considered, investigating service to the poor inthese examples with the longest experience of economic regulation and the "most privatized" suppliers. In all cases there is a focus on the very necessary role of customer involvement in price-setting and service monitoring and on the role of alternative (private) service providers within the context of the need for least cost utility service provision to all.