Do Decentralized Community Treatment Plants Provide Clean Water? Evidence from Rural Andhra Pradesh, India AMI

Though there is little evidence on its effectiveness, a decentralized community water system (CWS), such as a market-based kiosk, is thought to be appropriate where piped services are infeasible or unreliable. We assess changes in household behaviors, water quality, and health following the installation of a CWS in rural India, using quasi-experimental methods. Three negative findings stand out: (1) few households use the CWS; (2) water quality is lower among CWS users; and (3)d childhood diarrhea is higher among CWS users. This appears to stem from reduced self-protection by users amid continuing reliance on multiple water sources.

Duke Scholars

Author Marc A. Jeuland Sanford School of Public Policy

Author Subhrendu K. Pattanayak Sanford School of Public Policy