Challenges of water accessibility in the urban centres of Malawi: A case study of Blantyre City

Abstract

This study assesses challenges of water supply to urban areas of Malawi since factors obstructing water availability, indicators of water service’s delivery, trend of tariff structure and cost recovery’s mechanisms and water governance in Malawi have been poorly assessed in the past despite the fact that the country has engaged itself in the improvement of urban water policy. The study was conducted in Blantyre City and data was collected through several methods such as literature review, structured questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and field observations. Blantyre’s water utility (Blantyre Water Board) has non-revenue water (NRW) of 40 to 49% and coverage of 75%. Poor governance and low tariffs coupled with urbanization are the main causes of water shortage in the city of Blantyre. Since consultative increase in tariffs could infuse greater efficiency into water supply system, this study recommends that the Government of Malawi should implement the following measures: i) increase budgetary support to urban water utilities, ii) privatize water services and operation, iii) enact urban water and sanitation Act to guide urban water supply, iv) make water utilities autonomous to avoid political meddling and v) institute a regulator for urban water utilities. Key words: Malawi, political meddling, cost recovery, non-revenue water, Blantyre City.