Institutional arrangements for improving water and sanitation services in the rural villages of India: a systems thinking approach

This study examines the impact of institutional arrangements on water and sanitation (WATSAN) services in a village context in India. Data from households in Nagla Chandi village in Uttar Pradesh state were used to assess the situation. A systems thinking approach was employed to identify intervention points and improve access. The study identified under‐resourced local institutions, a lack of village‐level WATSAN rules and regulations, a lack of participation by both public institutions and communities, and trust issues as the critical barriers to accessing WATSAN services. It advocates for setting up a local WATSAN fund to ensure sustainable service delivery and a better understanding of the broader governance environment for sustainable WATSAN delivery in rural communities.