Rethinking the Role of Alternative Small-Scale Water Providers in Water Supply Service Delivery to the Poor in Peri-Urban Areas of Zambia

This paper examines how the role of alternative small-scale water providers who can either be formal or informal have improved water supply delivery services in peri-urban areas, which are not being serviced by water utilities due to absence of water infrastructure and unplanned nature of these areas. Using literature review, this paper examines the range of ways in which the poor access water and shows that the conventional approach of provision of water to peri-urban areas has not matched the growth of these areas. Other water providers have come in to fill the supply gap and although they are not recognised by Government, they operate along side formally recognised arrangements and are making a significant contribution in improving access to water in peri-urban areas. Rather than continue ignoring them, the key lies in Government and water utilities recognising their existence and incorporate them as partners in improving water supply in peri-urban areas by making the necessary policy and regulatory provisions to improve the hostile environment in which they operate.