Abstract: Niamey, the capital of Niger, like other cities in sub-Saharan Africa, is experiencing water insecurity due to the mismatch between rapid urban growth and substantial investment in water services. On the outskirts of the city, where the water distribution network is almost non-existent or inconsistent, private water points are increasingly being built, particularly private boreholes, as an alternative solution. This article based on a methodology combining qualitative and quantitative data collected from 20 beneficiaries, 3 suppliers and 5 carters, focuses on the mini water networks of neighbours. A new form of solidarity around water in Saguia, an outlying district of the city of Niamey, through the 'co-production' of water services and the mutualisation of water installations between neighbours-providers and neighbours-beneficiaries. This new 'social' service offer, built around arrangements between neighbours, deserves to be studied by analysing it as both an innovation and a social response adapted to the absence of a formal water network and to the uncontrolled and planned urban sprawl in Niamey. The neighbours' mini water networks thus contribute to the universalization of access to water and to urban sprawl by allowing the construction and occupation of new formal and informal neighbourhoods not covered by the official water network.Abstract: Niamey, the capital of Niger, like other cities in sub-Saharan Africa, is experiencing water insecurity due to the mismatch between rapid urban growth and substantial investment in water services. On the outskirts of the city, where the water distribution network is almost non-existent or inconsistent, private water points are increasingly being bu...Show More
Abstract: This paper presents the challenges of water supply demand and enhancing water sustainability in rural areas. Data collected from field observation, regional water offices and officials, questionnaires and community responses were conducted. Data from the selected districts of the study area was discussed and analyzed. Two hundred seventeen water supply points (one hundred thirty hand-dug wells, thirty-five rope pumps, forty-eight spring development, and five shallow wells) are constructed in the study area. Among these water points, one hundred ninety-four were functional during the study time, and twenty-three were non-functional. Developed spring and rope pumps account for 22.11% and 16.12% of the total, respectively. In contrast, the hand-dug well and shallow wells as a source of water account for 59.9 % and 2.3%, respectively. The communities in the study area also use rivers and unprotected springs as water sources. This study found that the water supply in the study area is far less adequate for multiple reasons. The rural water supply system fails due to inappropriate design and underestimating population growth while designing water supply by considering only the existing population. The social and economic importance of providing a potable water supply is widely recognized. The study elicited why water supply systems have become inadequate in the area. This study may be helpful to have sufficient information before launching significant investments in rural water supply works.Abstract: This paper presents the challenges of water supply demand and enhancing water sustainability in rural areas. Data collected from field observation, regional water offices and officials, questionnaires and community responses were conducted. Data from the selected districts of the study area was discussed and analyzed. Two hundred seventeen water su...Show More
Abstract: The sustainable use and management of freshwater resources is on the center of developmental debate and becoming a global challenge. The overall aim of this study is to document published literature in the field of water privatization, critically review them and to draw a conclusion about how private sector participation can contribute in the initiative of sustainability for freshwater. To accomplish the specific goal of this paper, review articles, research papers, mini-articles, book and reports of authorized organizations published from last 25 years were reviewed. Comparative advantages, problems, challenges and opportunities of private and public sector management in water resources were thoroughly analyzed. Based on those reviews, this study found that there is a mixed legacy in water privatization throughout the world which needs to be strongly regulated to fulfill the basic requirements of consumers in one side and for sustainable management of scarce freshwater resources in another side. Meanwhile, after careful analysis of various water delivery systems and case-studies managed by different agencies around the world, this paper postulates the pubic-private-partnership as an appropriate form of privatization in water which not only helps to increase the project efficiency but also improves the service delivery to end-users.Abstract: The sustainable use and management of freshwater resources is on the center of developmental debate and becoming a global challenge. The overall aim of this study is to document published literature in the field of water privatization, critically review them and to draw a conclusion about how private sector participation can contribute in the initi...Show More