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Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 1
Areas Suitable for Yard Taps Projects
Table of Contents
1
2
3
Areas Suitable for Yard Taps .............................................................................. 2
1.1
Informal Housing in Planned Urban Areas .................................................... 2
1.2
Formal and Informal Housing Compounds/Flats Housing Tenants ............... 3
Assessing Demand ............................................................................................. 4
2.1
Willingness and Ability to Pay ....................................................................... 4
2.2
Considering Technical and Social Constraints .............................................. 4
Water Kiosks in Areas Supplied Through Yard Taps! ......................................... 5
Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 1
Suitable Areas for Yard Taps Projects
2
1
Areas Suitable for Yard Taps
The following low income urban areas should be considered suitable for the
introduction of yard taps.
1.1
Informal Housing in Planned Urban Areas
Informal/low income housing in planned urban areas where plot owners have title
deeds.
Sometimes such plots with informal housing are in fact rather small low income
pockets (one or several plots or one large sub-divided plot) which are surrounded by:

medium and high cost housing and/or by

commercial properties,

agricultural properties,

Government institutions.
In most cases these small pockets of low income housing (urban poor) are not found
in areas which are suitable for the sustainable operation of water kiosks. The number
of underserved residents is too low, or the distance between underserved (or poorly
served) plots and the nearest kiosk is too long (see Pictures 1.1 and 1.2).
Picture 1.1: Low cost housing in Webuye
Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 1
Suitable Areas for Yard Taps Projects
3
Picture 1.2: Low cost estate in Webuye
1.2
Formal and Informal Housing Compounds/Flats Housing Tenants
Some low income urban areas mainly consist of plots which have been developed by
their owners into low income compounds or flats which are occupied by a number of
tenants. A single plot can house between 4 – 35 households (see Picture 1.3). The
landlord may reside on the plot together with his or her tenants.
Many compounds and flats already have direct access to the distribution network of
the Water Service Provider (WSP). Some landlords have invested in yard taps and
ventilated improved pit latrines (VIPs) and even in indoor plumbing. A significant
proportion of landlords, however, lack the financial resources or are unwilling to
invest in proper water supply and sanitation for their tenants. Some yard connections
are equipped with a water meter but in some towns (e.g. Naivasha) many yard
connections remain unmetered.
Where un-metered and metered yard taps are found, water is often included in the
rent. However, the rent of flats which are supplied through metered yard taps tends
to be significantly higher.
In many flats, tenants have to share a single yard tap. Access to the yard tap is in
most cases restricted to the tenants.
Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 1
Suitable Areas for Yard Taps Projects
4
Picture 1.3: Low cost estate in Bungoma
2
Assessing Demand
2.1
Willingness and Ability to Pay
A WSTF-funded project, which emphasises the extension of the distribution network
and the construction or installation of yard taps, should be demand driven. This not
only implies that landlords and tenants have expressed that they prefer to have
access to a connection within their premises, but also that they are able and willing
to pay:

For the connection.

The monthly water bill.
In other words, landlords and tenants should be able to manage their connection (i.e.
maintain it, keep it clean and pay the water bill) especially when consumption
exceeds the social tariff band.
The demand for yard taps can be assessed with the attached household
questionnaire (see File No. 3 of this Section).
2.2
Considering Technical and Social Constraints
It is important to emphasise that some informal settlements are not very suitable for
yard taps:
 Areas with an unplanned layout and very high population & housing densities.
 Areas known for their illegal connections (water supply and electricity).
Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 1
Suitable Areas for Yard Taps Projects
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 Areas controlled by (criminal) cartels.
 Areas known for their high levels of vandalism and theft.
 Areas known for their low collection efficiencies caused by the unwillingness
or inability of their residents (landlords and tenants) to pay for water and other
basic services.
3
Water Kiosks in Areas Supplied Through Yard Taps!
Even if most of the population of a low income urban area can be supplied through
yard taps, the WSP has to assess whether there will be need to construct a number
of public water outlets (e.g. kiosks), in order to supply the occupants of the remaining
non-connected plots.
When preparing its project proposal, the WSP will have to assess the demand for
kiosk water (the expected number of kiosk customers and their estimated daily per
capita consumption).
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Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 1
Suitable Areas for Yard Taps Projects