Friday 18 April 2008

Connection charges

ADB has a really good note on its website: The How’s and Why’s of Water Connection Charges. As it says:

“High and upfront water connection charges often act as a major barrier to connecting the poor. So why charge for a connection? Mobile companies provide free phones to attract subscribers. Supermarkets do not charge entrance fees to potential shoppers. Why can this not be applied to water services?”

Why not indeed … and this is just as important, mutatis mutandis, for connection charges for (simplified) sewerage − so, all you WatSew companies out there “doing your best to serve the poor”, take note!