Assessing willingness to pay for water during the COVID-19 crisis in Ugandan households

COVID-19 and organisational resilience in Brazil's water sector

“…Notably, this respondent reported that the policy of no water shut-offs may have led many consumers to prioritise paying other bills, increasing non-payments. In Uganda, a study conducted from March to June 2020 showed that the presidential directive to suspend disconnections for non-paying may have influenced households' willingness to pay for water ( Sempewo et al, 2021 ). Therefore, COVID-19 has affected not only the water sector's revenues and expenditures but also the consumer payment behaviour.…”

“…Reduced demand from both industrial and commercial consumers, and reduced ability to pay water bills probably contributed to revenue loss, as well as changes in water service disconnection policy. Thus, governments must develop sustainable regulations and policy interventions that consider local-specific socio-economic attributes and address gaps in infrastructure funding ( Sempewo et al, 2021 ; Spearing et al, 2021 ).…”

Variations in household water affordability and water insecurity: An intersectional perspective from 18 low- and middle-income countries

“…While lower-income women disproportionately experience physical and emotional burdens of water collection (Sultana, 2020), they may simultaneously experience higher proportional water costs where expenditures are made, given the systems of exclusion and exploitation above. For example, Reynaud (2006: 20) found single parent families in France, particularly female-headed households, were among “the most vulnerable groups in terms of water affordability.” Such assessments are critical because research finds female-headed households are more likely to pay for and maintain their water services, attributable to perceived gendered responsibilities of water provision and its linked health, hygiene, and food security needs (Kayaga et al, 2003; Sempewo et al, 2021). These examples demonstrate how capitalist systems reinforce gender oppression, and how patriarchal institutions, including gendered responsibilities of water access, reinforce class oppression.…”

Covid-19 and Organisational Resilience in Brazil's Water Sector

“…Notably, this respondent reported that the policy of no water shut-offs may have led many consumers to prioritise paying other bills, increasing nonpayments. In Uganda, a study conducted from March to June 2020 showed that the presidential directive to suspend disconnections for non-paying may have influenced households' willingness to pay for water (Sempewo et al, 2021). Therefore, COVID-19 has affected not only the water sector's revenues and expenditures but also the consumer payment behaviour.…”