Water And Sanitation Services Provisioning : Consumers Have A Voice

The importance of the availability of water and sanitation is not debatable. National and international development agencies recognize the importance of water and sanitation for not only human consumption but also economic development. However, in most places the provision of water and sanitation services is poor. Inequities also exist in service provision, mostly in urban settlements. The supply- driven approach, which is government-driven, is not addressing consumer demands fully. It is recommended that a demand-driven approach, one which is consumer- driven be promoted. This approach puts the consumer at the centre of the delivery of basic services. It also allows consumers to participate in decision- making processes and recognizes that consumers come first in service delivery. Furthermore, it encourages them to honour their obligations by paying for the services received.