Preferences for water treatment provision in rural India: comparing communal, pay-per-use, and labour-for-water schemes

Using a contingent valuation survey, this research identifies villagers’ willingness to pay towards the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants in 11 villages in Maharashtra with existing facilities. Preferences were elicited using three different payment mechanisms: a monthly fee, labour (time) contributions, and a pay-per-container mechanism. There was little support for the pay-per-container scheme (51% stated positive willingness to pay for this option), but the communal mechanisms were more popular (86.7% and 87.3%). We conclude that the long-term viability of water treatment in Maharashtra is weak, as few scenarios provide adequate revenue to properly operate and maintain the infrastructure.