Abstract
Water collection from piped water distribution systems (PWSs) in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa is not understood in much detail. Here, distances travelled to distribution points (DPs), volumes collected, times of day of collection, and the relationship between location of DP and volume dispensed are investigated in a rural community in Tanzania using a combination of novel smart pre-payment meters and results from surveys and interviews. Continuous availability of water through pre-payment smart meters is shown to eliminate queue time, freeing time for farming or schooling, and enhance revenue collection for service provision. 97% of users use DPs as a main source of drinking water as opposed to unimproved alternative sources, and 42% live further than 400 m from a DP. Collection occurs across daylight with greater volumes dispensed in the afternoon–evening due to free time from economic activities and children returning from school. A low mean daily collection of 47 L per household from DPs is approximated. Volume dispensed across different DPs over time shows no clear pattern. However, the volume dispensed is indicated by the number of households that use each DP. Increasing PWS capacity can accommodate for variable collection patterns, and help improve sustainability of rural water supply.
Highlights
The need to “achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all” by 2030 (Sustainable Development Goal 6.1) requires better understanding of water supply at the village level
The objective of this study is to examine how these questions apply to water collection from a piped water distribution system (PWS) in rural Tanzania
Smart meters have been installed on the PWS distribution points (DPs) for approximately two years prior to the study
Summary
The need to “achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all” by 2030 (Sustainable Development Goal 6.1) requires better understanding of water supply at the village level. Complex patterns around rural user collection behaviours are not well understood [1,2]. When in the day do users collect water? How does location of water point impact collection? How much water do users and households collect from different sources, and why? The objective of this study is to examine how these questions apply to water collection from a piped water distribution system (PWS) in rural Tanzania. The influence of time of day, distance, and location of PWS communal distribution points (DPs) are investigated with a novel approach of combining remotely collected data from water meters with interviews and surveys. Subsequent use of water from PWSs are thereby identified
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
