Abstract for: Assessing Self-Sustainability of Rural Water Supply Systems: Free Household Connections vs Free Solar Pumps

Water is an essential commodity which is increasingly being provided through the piped water supply scheme (WSS). However, its successful provision is a challenge because the sustainability of any WSS depends on the interaction between various factors, which include technical design, social, and financial aspects of WSS. Current methods of financial forecast used for assessing WSS viability in India do not take into account this complexity and lead to an absurd situation where all rural WSS are deemed financially sustainable at the planning stage, but are found to be practically unviable in the longer run. In this study we developed a system dynamics model to represent the complexities of the rural WSS. The model reveals the problems with the current financial forecast as well as it evaluates various governmental measures for effectiveness and cost appropriateness. The change in per capita water supplied per Million Rupees investment over the existing scenario are compered with other alterntives. The results of analysis suggests that providing subsidy and ensuring 100% household adoption is the effective alternative for improving performance.