The Cost of a Sustainable Water Supply at Network Kiosks in Peri-Urban Blantyre, Malawi

Empirical insights were made into the challenges of supplying water to communities within low-income areas peri-urban Blantyre, Malawi. A networked public supply is provided those without a domestic tap via communal kiosks managed by community-based Water User Associations (WUAs) under government mandate. There has been considerable debate surrounding tariff charged for supplied such vulnerable communities. However, research largely failed consider costs WUAs operating and impact on kiosk tariff. The determination tariffs critical ensuring lifeline access sustainable Sustainable Development Goal 6. We provide evidence this from our experience in field Blantyre. In particular, we argue that running cannot be born solely end user. number reforms are needed help reduce To WUA tariffs, need more training financial record keeping cost management, should not inherit outstanding debt upon taking over their operations, boards build which they have fiscal responsibility integrated block calculations subsidize them accordingly.