Expanding Access to Clean Water for the Rural Poor: Experimental Evidence from Malawi

Abstract

Data from an 18-month randomized trial show large and sustained impacts on water purification and child health of a program providing monthly coupons for free water treatment solution to households with young children. The program is more effective and much more cost effective than asking Community Health Workers (CHWs) to distribute free chlorine to households during routine monthly visits. This is because only 40 percent of households use free chlorine, targeting through CHWs is worse than self-targeting through coupon redemption, and water treatment promotion by CHWs does not increase chlorine use among beneficiaries of free chlorine. (JEL I12, I18, J13, O12, O13, Q53)

Barriers to Water and Sanitation Safety Plans in Rural Areas of South Africa—A Case Study in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

“…Although the VDM has a large number (39) of water supply schemes, some households still remain unserved [25,28]. This study proved that the majority of the VDM households do have standpipes that could improve water supply within the study population.…”

“…In developing countries, people in rural communities cannot afford to buy bleach or salt for water treatment [25,26]. This was the case in a study done by Moropeng and Momba in the Makwani village where the majority of unemployed people could not afford to purchase the liquid bleach required for the treatment of drinking water in their homes [27].…”

Examining the Role of Clean Drinking Water Plants in Mitigating Drinking Water-Induced Morbidity

“…According to studies conducted in Germany, South Africa, India, and Pakistan, water treatment is necessary to protect people from the hazards of waterborne illness. Point-of-use water treatment effectively makes drinking water safe and achieves the sustainable goal of clean drinking water [33,50,51]. The facilities for clean water provided by the government are declining drastically.…”