Small Independent Water Providers: Their Position in the Regulatory Framework for the Supply of Water in Kenya and Ethiopia

Journal of Environmental Law (2014) 26 (1): 105

22 Pages Posted: 14 Jul 2010 Last revised: 9 Jan 2019

See all articles by Mulugeta Mengist Ayalew

Mulugeta Mengist Ayalew

African Climate Policy Center (ACPC), UNECA

Jonathan Chenoweth

University of Surrey

Rosalind Malcolm

Environmental Regulatory Research Group, School of Law, University of Surrey

Yacob Mulugetta

University of Surrey

Lorna Okotto

University of Surrey

Steve Pedley

University of Surrey

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: March 1, 2014

Abstract

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) included a target to halve the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water by 2015--a right recognised as fundamental to human needs. Small independent water vendors are often the only water supply option in peri-urban neighbourhoods in developing countries and fill a critical gap in the municipal system, but there is concern about the quality and price of their water. Such vendors need to be recognised and regulated due to their role in meeting basic water needs. This article reflects on the lack of regulation and discusses a recent multidisciplinary research project in Kenya and Ethiopia that considered whether there is a case for regulation of competition, price and quality. It concludes that recognising small independent water vendors as part of a regulatory framework will result in increased access to water for the poor and assist in the realisation of the MDGs, the right to water and intergenerational equity.

Keywords: water vendors, water quality regulation, Millennium Development Goals, right to water, Kenya

Suggested Citation

Ayalew, Mulugeta Mengist and Chenoweth, Jonathan and Malcolm, Rosalind and Mulugetta, Yacob and Okotto, Lorna and Pedley, Steve, Small Independent Water Providers: Their Position in the Regulatory Framework for the Supply of Water in Kenya and Ethiopia (March 1, 2014). Journal of Environmental Law (2014) 26 (1): 105, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1638869

Mulugeta Mengist Ayalew

African Climate Policy Center (ACPC), UNECA ( email )

Ethiopia

Jonathan Chenoweth

University of Surrey ( email )

Guildford
Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XH
United Kingdom

Rosalind Malcolm (Contact Author)

Environmental Regulatory Research Group, School of Law, University of Surrey ( email )

Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH
United Kingdom

Yacob Mulugetta

University of Surrey ( email )

Guildford
Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XH
United Kingdom

Lorna Okotto

University of Surrey ( email )

Guildford
Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XH
United Kingdom

Steve Pedley

University of Surrey ( email )

Guildford
Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XH
United Kingdom

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