UNPAID BILLS BY PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON UTILITY FINANCE AND UNDERMIND SERVICE DELIVERY TO PEOPLE
DATES
2020
LOCATION(S)
Global, Kenya, Zambia, Mexico
PARTNERS
EWP, GIZ, SWIM
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Access to safe water and sanitation are human rights. To serve everyone and realise these rights, water and sanitation service providers must be able to operate and stay financially viable. However, there is evidence to show that many public institutions do not pay the water bills they receive, or with crippling delays. This is a problem for service providers who count on this revenue.
When public institutions don’t pay, people do. The burden shifts to those who face increased tariffs and those who are left with poor or no service, who pay with their health, time, and productivity. There are many ways to address the issue. Utilities must improve systems to ensure collection of payments. Governments must ensure payments to utilities are given due priority and urgent attention. This is essential, to ensure resilience in crises, avoid costly bailouts, and safeguard the human rights to water and sanitation for all.
WIN and End Water Poverty are bringing attention to this issue and sharing best practices to improve collection processes and prioritise timely payments, with the support of GIZ, ESAWAS, AMCOW, Water Citizens Network, KEWASNET, and the Zambia NGO WASH Forum.
PUBLICATIONS
Policy brief:
Summary:
Research factsheet:
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