Evaluating the willingness to pay for improved water supply by poultry and non-poultry farmers in Wakiso District, Uganda

Abstract

Access to improved water supply services remains a global challenge despite progress made towards the water sustainable development goal (SDG) globally. Wakiso district in Uganda is no exception, as access to safe water services is limited, leading to welfare losses, which affect the livelihoods of several households who rely on poultry farming. The study uses double bounded elicitation format to determine the value which households in Wakiso District are willing to pay for improved water supply services. The study also examines whether poultry farming significantly influences households’ willingness to pay (WTP). Wakiso District was purposively selected for this study due to its documented poor water supply services, which result in welfare losses to poultry and non-poultry farming households. Purposive and random sampling methods were used to collect data from 243 poultry and non-poultry farmers. Furthermore, the sample was split into 110 poultry farmers and 133 non-poultry farmers. Using the double bounded models, the study determined the factors that influence households’ WTP. Results indicate that households are aware of the risks and threats associated with fetching water from distant sources. They also portrayed positive attitudes, perceptions and opinions towards a policy that improves the status quo. The mean WTP was estimated at UGX 197.2688 (USD 0.05) per 20litres (L) for poultry farmers, compared to UGX 204.8794 (USD 0.06) per 20L non-poultry farmers. The null hypothesis for the equality of WTP means is rejected at 1% level (p = 0.000, t = 5.45011), implying that poultry farming significantly influences households’ WTP. Results of the double bounded models indicate that WTP is positively influenced by the following variables: gender, age, education, whether the current quality of water is problematic, the price of water charged by water vendors at alternative sources and the transport mode. Conversely, WTP is negatively related to the current water quality at the main source, the quality of water at alternative source, household size and whether the respondent receives enough quantity of water from the main source. Based on the results, the study recommends that economic values of water uses and socioeconomic factors should be incorporated in the water use, pricing and management policies. The study also recommends that the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) of Uganda should implement a water supply policy that improves household’s access to water supply services in Wakiso District to meet their demand.