Institutional, technical and financial sustainability of rural piped drinking water supply on a freshwater island: Case study of Likoma Island, Malawi

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goal 6 addresses the protection for both drinking water and lakes, and this is especially important for residents of a freshwater island. This study explores the institutional, technical and economic sustainability of a piped drinking water system operating on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi. Data were collected through household surveys and an analysis of historical records. Proximity and accessibility analyses were also conducted for households (n = 185) and their water sources. The results indicated that within 10 years after implementation of the system, 98% of the respondents had piped drinking water within 250 m of their households. Challenges to system sustainability unique to an island setting include the need for boat transportation, inconsistent electrical power supply and lack of island banking services. Factors contributing to broader system success include fishing households with cash income, limited dependence on communal taps, a strong mainland partner, tourism-supported financial management, high payment rate amongst government institutions, system costs covered by pricing of water for customers and a manager with a high level of decision-making authority. Opportunities to make the system more sustainable include reducing non-revenue water losses, using drones or buying a dedicated boat for transport to the island and improving self-sufficiency on the island to respond to equipment emergencies. Rural drinking water supplies in remote lake island communities must meet unique requirements for sustainable operation, and the institutional, technical and economic sustainability factors of Likoma Island illustrate a successful system likely to sustainably continue its operations into the future.