Economics of Household Connections for Community-Level Water Systems in Ghana

The economics of community-level solutions are challenging, and Safe Water Network works to strike a delicate balance between affordability for the poorest consumers, and financial viability of Safe Water Stations. Household connections have the potential to improve the economics of providing safe water in rural communities and to enhance the positive impact that safe water has on the health of consumers.

Safe Water Network has piloted household connections to bring safe drinking water directly to the homes of its customers. There are currently 21 households with connections, with plans to increase to 30 households. The objective of this project was (i) to understand the economics of household connections and the feasibility of scaling up household connections in Ghana, (ii) determine the governance structures necessary for successful scaling up of the household connection pilot (iii) to size the market for household water connections in Ghana.

This project presented an opportunity to build an understanding of the overall state of the water sector and of efforts by various organizations to develop household utility connections, all while remaining grounded in a pilot project currently being implemented in the field. The capstone team connected with key stakeholders in the water sector in Ghana at Safe Water Network’s fourth annual “Beyond the Pipe” forum.