Are piped water services reaching poor households? Empirical evidence from rural Viet Nam. (15th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carrard, Naomi; Madden, Ben; Chong, Joanne; Grant, Melita; Nghiêm, Tuyến Phương; Bùi, Ly Hà; Hà, Huế Thị Thu; Willetts, Juliet
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 153(2019)
• Page Start: 239
• Page End: 250
• Publication Date: 2019-04-15
• Subjects: Water services -- Poverty -- Piped water -- Viet Nam -- Mixed-methods; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.01.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Abstract: The delivery of water services to the poor is lagging, yet local causes and manifestations of this are not well understood. Better data is needed to identify inequalities where they occur, explore underlying reasons, and develop strategies to achieve more equitable access. A focus on the local scale is important because this is where water services are delivered, and inequalities in access can be best observed. This paper presents a mixed-methods study of poor households' access to piped water in rural Viet Nam, providing insight into local dynamics of the water/poverty nexus. Findings pointed to lower rates of piped water access for poor households across areas served by government, private and community service providers. Connection fees were found to be the primary barrier to poor households accessing available piped services. The study also found that where financial support is provided, poor households can achieve comparable or even higher rates of access. Key implications of the study are the demonstrated value of, and yet challenges associated with, rigorous local-level monitoring to ensure equitable, quality service delivery. Highlights: A survey of 1031 poor households found inequalities in piped water services. Connection fees were the primary barrier to poor households accessing services. No single type of service provider was more successful in reaching the poor. Where it was provided, financial support enabled more equitable outcomes. Data gaps constrain monitoring of water poverty, requiring innovative responses.