Factors constraining household willingness to pay for piped water tariffs: the case of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

One of the major problems confronting public water utilities in Nigeria is how to realise effective piped water tariff revenues collection. This study was therefore conducted to identify the major factors constraining household willingness to pay for piped water tariffs in Nigeria, using Ekiti State as a case study, and possible interventions which might help to improve the situation from the perspective of piped water customers. A tested survey has been used through a representative sampling process. The research findings were checked with additional data from relevant literature and legal documents. Findings revealed that political promise, availability of other water sources, lack of recognition of drinking water as a human right, inadequate method of collecting tariff revenues, and poor response to complaints were the major factors constraining household willingness to pay for piped water tariffs in the studied case in Nigeria. The suggested major possible interventions which might help to improve the situation include the installation of water meters, instituting a customer consultative forum, as well as putting in place improved customer relations. To be effective, it is crucial that public water utilities in Nigeria incorporate these factors into piped water supply decision-making and policy measures.