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System Reliability and Water Service Decentralization: Investigating Household Preferences in Nicaragua

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  • William Vásquez
  • Dina Franceschi

Abstract

Concern continues to grow over unreliable water access at the household level in many developing countries. A contingent valuation survey was designed to elicit willingness-to-pay for safe and reliable drinking water in León, Nicaragua. In addition, split-sample treatments were used to investigate preferences for two forms of service governance: the current, centralized water supplier and a decentralized service implemented at the municipal level. Results show that households are willing to pay a substantial increase in their water bills for reliable water supply. Findings also indicate that households hold greater confidence in the current, centralized provider rather than a localized service based on several characteristics such as overall service, awareness of water issues, interest in solving water problems, capacity, accountability, and potential investment. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • William Vásquez & Dina Franceschi, 2013. "System Reliability and Water Service Decentralization: Investigating Household Preferences in Nicaragua," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(14), pages 4913-4926, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:27:y:2013:i:14:p:4913-4926
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-013-0447-4
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    1. Van Houtven, George L. & Pattanayak, Subhrendu K. & Usmani, Faraz & Yang, Jui-Chen, 2017. "What are Households Willing to Pay for Improved Water Access? Results from a Meta-Analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 126-135.

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