The “five percent rule” for improved water service: Can households afford more?

Abstract

Results of household willingness to pay surveys in five small Moroccan cities reveal that respondents would pay 7 to 10% of total household expenditures for individual water connections and subsequent commodity charges despite already having reliable and free standpost service. The study also illustrates that relatively low cost, rapid and reliable survey techniques to learn about water demand characteristics are possible and, therefore, should routinely be incorporated into the planning for all developing country water projects.