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Water flows, energy demand, and market analysis of the informal water sector in Kisumu, Kenya

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  • Sima, Laura C.
  • Kelner-Levine, Evan
  • Eckelman, Matthew J.
  • McCarty, Kathleen M.
  • Elimelech, Menachem

Abstract

In rapidly growing urban areas of developing countries, infrastructure has not been able to cope with population growth. Informal water businesses fulfill unmet water supply needs, yet little is understood about this sector. This paper presents data gathered from quantitative interviews with informal water business operators (n=260) in Kisumu, Kenya, collected during the dry season. Sales volume, location, resource use, and cost were analyzed by using material flow accounting and spatial analysis tools. Estimates show that over 76% of the city's water is consumed by less than 10% of the population who have water piped into their dwellings. The remainder of the population relies on a combination of water sources, including water purchased directly from kiosks (1.5million m3 per day) and delivered by hand-drawn water-carts (0.75million m3 per day). Energy audits were performed to compare energy use among various water sources in the city. Water delivery by truck is the highest per cubic meter energy demand (35MJ/m3), while the city's tap water has the highest energy use overall (21,000MJ/day). We group kiosks by neighborhood and compare sales volume and cost with neighborhood-level population data. Contrary to popular belief, we do not find evidence of price gouging; the lowest prices are charged in the highest-demand low-income area. We also see that the informal sector is sensitive to demand, as the number of private boreholes that serve as community water collection points are much larger where demand is greatest.

Suggested Citation

  • Sima, Laura C. & Kelner-Levine, Evan & Eckelman, Matthew J. & McCarty, Kathleen M. & Elimelech, Menachem, 2013. "Water flows, energy demand, and market analysis of the informal water sector in Kisumu, Kenya," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 137-144.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:87:y:2013:i:c:p:137-144
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2012.12.011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. John, Beatrice & Luederitz, Christopher & Lang, Daniel J. & von Wehrden, Henrik, 2019. "Toward Sustainable Urban Metabolisms. From System Understanding to System Transformation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 402-414.
    3. Venkatesh, G. & Chan, Arthur & Brattebø, Helge, 2014. "Understanding the water-energy-carbon nexus in urban water utilities: Comparison of four city case studies and the relevant influencing factors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 153-166.

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