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Factors Influencing Water Point Functionality in Liberia: A Regression and Bayesian Network Analysis

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Listed:
  • Henry Li

    (Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA)

  • Catherine McManus

    (Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Water Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA)

  • Ryan Cronk

    (Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Water Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA)

Abstract

Maintaining functional rural community water supply is a persistent challenge across Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Liberia. This study examined the determinants of hand pump functionality in Liberia using a comprehensive dataset from the Liberian Government. We analyzed 11,065 Afridev hand pumps using regression and Bayesian network models. Water points managed by local and institutional entities had substantially higher odds of being functional than those with no management (adjusted OR 3.73 and 2.89), while WASH committees showed a smaller increase (OR 2.43). Pump part damage significantly reduced functionality (undamaged vs. damaged, OR: 10.46. Faster repair was an important determinant, with odds of functionality up to 6.37 times higher. The availability of a trained mechanic with a modest toolkit modestly improved odds (OR 1.25), and proximity to spare parts suppliers played a role (second quartile vs. farthest quartile, OR 1.57). We quantified the impact of service delivery: posterior odds that a water point is functional under the most ideal conditions were four times those under the least ideal conditions. These findings underscore the importance of effective management and prompt repairs to maintain the functionality of water infrastructure. These insights can guide improvements in Liberia and other regions facing similar challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Henry Li & Catherine McManus & Ryan Cronk, 2025. "Factors Influencing Water Point Functionality in Liberia: A Regression and Bayesian Network Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8928-:d:1766827
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eliza Lynn Fink & Pranav Chintalapati & Adrienne Lane & Andrew Wester & Amy Javernick-Will & Karl Linden, 2022. "Determinants of rural hand-pump functionality through maintenance provision in the Central African Republic," PLOS Water, Public Library of Science, vol. 1(6), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Sonia F. Hoque & Robert Hope, 2020. "Examining the Economics of Affordability Through Water Diaries in Coastal Bangladesh," Water Economics and Policy (WEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 6(03), pages 1-29, July.
    3. Hervé Kaffo Fotio & Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea, 2022. "Access to water and sanitation in Africa: Does globalization matter?," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 170, pages 79-91.
    4. Tim Foster & Sean Furey & Brian Banks & Juliet Willetts, 2020. "Functionality of handpump water supplies: a review of data from sub-Saharan Africa and the Asia-Pacific region," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(5), pages 855-869, September.
    5. Fotio, Hervé Kaffo & Nguea, Stéphane Mbiankeu, 2022. "Access to water and sanitation in Africa: Does globalization matter?," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 79-91.
    6. Kelly Alexander & Yihenew Tesfaye & Robert Dreibelbis & Bekele Abaire & Matthew Freeman, 2015. "Governance and functionality of community water schemes in rural Ethiopia," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 60(8), pages 977-986, December.
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