Regulating the water tanker sector as a supplement source in water stressed urban areas -

Abstract

Population growth and development are associated with increased water demand that often exceed the capacity of existing resources, resulting in water shortages, particularly in coastal urban areas, where more than 60percent of the world’s population resides. In many developing countries, water shortages often force households to depend on water tankers amongst other potential sources for the delivery of water for domestic and-or potable use. While water tankers have become an integral part of the water supply system in many countries, the sector is often underdeveloped, unregulated, and operates with little governmental supervision. Users are often unaware of the origin or of the quality of their purchased water. In an effort to better assess this sector, a field survey of water vending wells and tankers coupled with a water quality sampling and analysis program was implemented in a pilot area (Beirut, Lebanon) to evaluate the socio-economics of water tankers in an urban setting in terms of quality and cost. Microbial counts, chloride, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in sampled water exceeded drinking water quality standards. While the pollution source was largely correlated with wells, tankers were a source of total coliforms. Delivered water costs varied depending on the size of the tanker, the quality of the distributed water, and the treatment used ranging between 3.5 and 11 $-m³, a markup of 685 and 2191percent when compared with network water (0.46 $-m³). The study concluded with a regulatory and institutional framework for consumer protection towards ensuring quality water at a reasonable cost.