Increasing Access: The Experience of Small-Scale Water Providers in Serving the Poor in Metro Manila

Abstract

Small-scale water providers continue to supply water to many parts of Metro Manila. Some providers cover all the water needs of a household, while others supplement the services of the major water concessionaires operating in the city. A WSP-EAP study of 10 small-scale water providers in Metro Manila identified five different types of water providers, with each type employing its own business model and catering to different groups of customers. Some providers show an exceptional ability to serve poorer segments of the city. The study found that a high proportion of the poor rely on water services supplied by small-scale water providers, but that these households pay a higher unit rate for the water than their more affluent neighbors. The study yields a number of recommendations, including rationalizing the price of water for poor customers, improving service efficiencies to reduce the costs of supplying water, and developing collaborative relationships among the government regulator, utility, and small-scale water providers.

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