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This study was conducted in Mvomero district in Morogoro region. The general
objective of the study was to examine water point economic institutional
arrangements and collective ownership with a particular focus to Mlali ward in
Mvomero district. The specific objectives were to determine the contribution of
water point ownership on the economic accessibility of clean water, to assess the
impact of rules on the economic accessibility of clean water and to determine the
influence of willingness to pay for water services on the economic accessibility of
clean water as well as the factors affecting the willingness to pay. The study involved
one hundred respondents. Data were collected using survey questionnaire, interview
and focus group discussion. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
software was used to analyze descriptive statistics as well as carrying out the
multiple regression model which was used to explain the factors affecting water
user’s willingness to pay for water. The results are such that, property rights
assignment leads to the economic accessibility of clean water and conservation of
water. Property rights reduce transaction costs associated with water use in
collectively owned water sources and introduce incentives for conserving water
resources and allocating water to the most valued users. Mlali water body and village
government are the formal institutions for managing water points. They aid in
efficient water allocation and conservation of water source. Also, informal rules that
govern water use in Mlali are hamlet (Vitongoji) water committees. Norms agreed by
all members also prevail. Moreover, there is water rationing which acts as the water
use control because every village gets water in a specific day and at agreed hours.
The multiple regressions were used to estimate factors that influence the willingness
to pay for water. The findings show that WTP is determined by total income, water
points being owned by Mlali Water Body and the informal rules used to governing
water use. Sex and education level have no significant influence on WTP for water.
The research study advocates that water resources should be owned by institutions or
private individuals as this ownership increases the efficient allocation of water as
well as the conservation of water resources as opposed to collective ownership. Also,
the clear roles of Mlali Water Body and village water committee should be defined to
avoid overlapping of responsibilities. |
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