11
Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 1
Implementing WSTF-Funded Yard Tap Projects
A Document for Water Service Providers and Field Monitors
Table of Contents
1. Improving Public Health: Need for Enforcing Technical Standards 3
Technical Requirements & Standards 3
Design of WSTF-Funded Yard Taps Projects 3
2. The Project: Network Extensions & Provision of Subsidized Yard Taps 4
Main Components of a Yard Tap/Network Extension Project 4
Promotion of Yard Taps 4
Criteria to Select Demonstration Yard Tap Beneficiaries 4
Conditions Demonstration Yard Tap Users have to Comply with (Operation Phase) 5
3. From Demonstration Yard Taps to the Up-scaling of Yard Taps 5
The Role of Subsidies and Contributions of Beneficiaries (Deposits) 5
Provision of Subsidies: The Principles 5
Additional Conditions and Requirements 6
Number of Yard Taps per Plot 6
Yard Taps: Overall Costs & Investment Costs per Beneficiary 7
Who Constructs the Yard Tap? 7
4. Yard Taps Projects: Accountability and Transparency 8
The Project Inventory 8
Impact Monitoring: MajiData 8
5. Metering, Tariffs and Operation 8
Metering and Meter Reading 8
Tariffs, Tariff Bands and Disconnections 8
Sale of Yard Tap Water (Neighbourhood Sales) 8
6. Operation & Maintenance 9
Conditions Yard Tap Users/Owners have to Comply With 9
The Yard Tap Maintenance Poster 9
7. The (Yard Taps) Project Proposal Submitted by the WSP 9
8. Disbursements of Project Funds by the WSTF 9
9. Forms of Support Provided by the WSTF 10
List of Abbreviations 10
Yard Tap Maintenance Poster 11
Improving public health by constructing better yard taps
1. Improving Public Health: Need for Enforcing Technical Standards
Technical Requirements & Standards
In many urban low income areas water kiosks are not sustainable as residents have higher expectations and are able and willing to pay for a better service level. A large number of unplanned and planned low income areas are best served through yard taps (see Module 1, Section 4, Document 1).
Unfortunately, most of the existing yard taps are poorly constructed and do not provide easy access and the necessary levels of hygiene. Many yard taps are in fact health hazards as their surroundings are dirty and muddy. There is need, therefore, to ensure that all yard taps, constructed within the framework of WSTF-funded projects are metered, are easy to keep clean, user-friendly and well-constructed.
The WSTF has developed technical standards for the yard tap. Drawings and bills of quantities (BoQs) were prepared for an insitu yard tap and for a pre-cast yard tap. These standards have been adopted by the sector.
Design of WSTF-Funded Yard Taps Projects
The following principles, agreements and activities are key elements of a WSTF-funded yard taps project:
· The WSTF has developed 2 new yard tap designs; one improved insitu yard tap and one improved pre-cast yard tap. These designs have been adopted by the Water Sector as the new technical standard for yard taps.
· The new standards contribute to improved public health as they prevent contamination of water during fetching.
· All new yard taps must meet the specifications embedded in the new standard. New yard taps can exceed (be better than) the new technical standard, but not be worse.
· The Water Service Provider (WSP) should refuse - and has the right to refuse[1] - to connect a plot or premises if the landlord or household is unable or unwilling to meet the technical standard for yard taps (see document 2 in this folder). The WSP should only connect a yard if a yard tap has been constructed or installed which meets the requirements of the WSP, the Water Services Board (WSB) and the WSTF.
· The distribution pipes connecting the yard tap to the distribution network have to be paid by the owner of the plot. The technical works have to be either carried out by the WSP, or supervised by the WSP. The materials have to be provided by the WSP or meet the technical standards of the service provider.
2. The Project: Network Extensions & Provision of Subsidized Yard Taps
Main Components of a Yard Tap/Network Extension Project
A WSP, within the framework of a WSTF-funded project, may aim to extend its services to a low income area through a network extension.
1. The project may also include a few demonstration yard taps (criteria that can be used to identify yard tap beneficiaries are listed below).
2. The project can also include an improved yard tap promotion & subsidy programme.
3. The project can also include the provision of subsidized insitu or pre-cast yard taps, provided the project is based upon the principle that beneficiaries should make a significant contribution.
4. The project should also include a health and hygiene as well as a yard taps maintenance component. All beneficiaries (landlords, plots) should be given a laminated yard tap maintenance poster/manual.
Promotion of Yard Taps
Yard taps can be promoted/ marketed in several ways. The WSP could prepare a small brochure which shows the advantages of yard taps. The WSP could also construct a relatively small number of “demonstration yard taps” (see next section). Moreover, the WSP could subsidise the yard tap.
The WSP may decide to conduct an induction meeting focussing on the yard tap concept and principles for the Project Task Team (PTT). Alternatively, this could also be done during the community barazas.
Criteria to Select Demonstration Yard Tap Beneficiaries
The question is how to identify and select the households or plot (premises) yards that are going to benefit from the (free) demonstration yard taps? The following criteria can be used to identify and select beneficiaries:
· A plot within a metered area/zone.
· A plot which is centrally located within the project area.
· A landlord or tenants (living on an unconnected plot) who have already shown interest in a yard connection.
· A landlord or tenants (living on a connected plot) who have always paid their bill on time and who have no debts with the WSP.
· The landlord must be willing to provide an appropriate place/piece of land for erecting the yard tap.
· The WSP seeks the authority from the respective landlord before the yard taps are erected.
· Construction works commence once the landlord has agreed with the WSP on terms and conditions of connections.
· The landlord should be able and willing to pay the monthly water bills.
· A plot where handicapped persons, orphans and/or persons suffering from HIV/AIDS are residing can be given preference (if all other criteria are met).
· Beneficiaries are not related to WSP or WSB staff!
Preferably the WSP should use a combination of these criteria.
The Project Task Team (PTT) should be involved in determining the demonstration yard tap sites but the WSP must actively participate in verifying/ confirming the suitability of the sites in line with the WSTF requirements.
Note: A Yard Tap is not a Kiosk. Therefore, it cannot be constructed in an open public place such as a market. A yard tap should be contrasted on privately owned plot.
Conditions Demonstration Yard Tap Users have to Comply with (Operation Phase)
The WSP is advised to insist that the beneficiaries comply with the following conditions:
· Beneficiaries should maintain the facility (yard tap) and report any technical shortcomings.
· Beneficiaries are responsible for all required maintenance and repair works.
· Beneficiaries should keep the yard taps clean at all times.
· Beneficiaries should pay their bill on time.
· Beneficiaries should allow the WSP to visit their yard in order to demonstrate the advantages of the yard tap to other residents.
Landlords and tenants should be training on the proper use and maintenance of the yard tap. Special emphasis has to be given to such issues as:
· How to read the water meter and estimate the bill.
· Sharing and paying the monthly water bill.
3. From Demonstration Yard Taps to the Up-scaling of Yard Taps
The project demonstration phase only serves to demonstrate the advantages, operation and maintenance of yard taps to residents.
The yard tap demonstration phase (if it is part of the project) is followed by the up-scaling phase. During this phase the WSP is providing yard taps to residents (landlords and householders who want to have a yard tap and who meet the requirements set by the WSP.
The Role of Subsidies and Contributions of Beneficiaries (Deposits)
The WSTF-funded network extension/yard tap promotion project can include a subsidy component.
In other words, the WSP is allowed to include in its proposal a yard tap subsidy component, provided the yard taps benefit the urban poor (e.g. tenants living in low income housing)!
Provision of Subsidies: The Principles
Within the framework of a WSTF-funded project which has a yard tap component or focus, the WSP may consider providing yard connections at a subsidised price. A yard tap project should be guided by the following principles:
1. The contribution made by the beneficiaries as well as the subsidy component should be specified (amount in KSh per yard tap) in the Project Proposal (Application Form) submitted by the WSP to the WSTF.
2. Beneficiaries should apply for the yard tap and make a significant (cash) contribution (see table below).[2]
3. The subsidy can only be made available after the WSP has received the application and the specified contribution requested from the applicant. The project should be demand-driven!!
4. Subsidies should not be given directly to the landlords, households or families who have applied for the yard tap. The WSP, after having received the beneficiaries’ contribution, ensures that an improved insitu yard tap is constructed - or that an improved pre-cast yard taps is placed - at an appropriate site within the within the plot. In other words, landlords and tenants do not receive cash.
5. Construction & installation works can be carried out by the WSP or by a qualified contractor.
Additional Conditions and Requirements
The construction of yard taps (beyond the demonstration yard taps phase) should be guided by the following:
· Construction works commence once the landlord has agreed with the WSP on terms and conditions of connections.
· The water meter is installed under the landlords’ name and he or she is charged according to the meter readings.
· The landlord should be able and willing to pay the monthly water bills.
· The landlord agrees with his tenants on the mode of payments (of the monthly water bill). The WSP only deals with the landlord, not with the tenants.
· The landlord is allowed to sell water to outsiders (non-tenants) but only at a (water kiosk) tariff which has been set by the company and approved by the Regulator (WASREB).
· WSP staff should regularly monitor and inspect the operations of the yard taps.
Landlords and tenants should be training on the proper use and maintenance of the yard tap. Special emphasis has to be given to such issues as:
· How to read the water meter and estimate the bill.
· Sharing and paying the monthly water bill.
Number of Yard Taps per Plot
The Kenyan Water Sector has decided that one (1) yard tap can adequately serve 30 persons. If more than 30 persons live within one yard, the landlord can apply for more than one yard taps (depending on the number of persons residing on the plot. If there are 14 families on the plot the landlord/tenants may apply for 2 yard taps.
The WSP should verify the number of people living on a plot before subsidising more than one yard tap.
Yard Taps: Overall Costs & Investment Costs per Beneficiary
The objective of the WSTF is that the yard tap subsidy per beneficiary does not exceed the per capita investment cost of water kiosk-based projects.
The table below shows the estimated costs of a yard tap. The table also
Table 1: Yard taps; types, costs and subsidies
No. / Yard tap / Total unit cost / Beneficiary contribution / Subsidy component / Estimated subsidyType / KSh / KSh / KSh / % / KSh/beneficiary (2)
1 / Insitu
a / Materials / 14,000 / 4,000
b / Connection (1) / 8,000 / 8,000
c / Labour / 4,000 / 0
Total: / 26,000 / 12,000 / 14,000 / 54 / 467
2 / Pre-cast
a / Materials / 16,000 / 4,000
b / Connection / 8,000 / 8,000
c / Labour / 4,500 / 0
Total: / 28,500 / 12,000 / 14,500 / 51 / 483
1): Piping, water meter and connections
2): Assuming a plot/yard has a population of 30 persons
Who Constructs the Yard Tap?
Yard taps and their connections and meters should be constructed by:
· The WSP.
· Local contractors contracted by the WSP.
The WSTF has developed a (back-to-back, size A3, laminated) poster (containing the drawings and Bill of Quantities (BoQ) which enables the WSP and local contractors to construct an improved yard tap within their premises. This poster is found in Module 3, Section 14 of this Toolkit.
4. Yard Taps Projects: Accountability and Transparency
The Project Inventory
The WSP and the Field Monitors have to provide a detailed inventory (geo-referenced pictures and a description of the yard tap, its functionality and its hygienic and technical condition) enabling the WSTF to verify whether subsidies were used effectively.
The inventory will also allow the WSP to assess whether its estimates with regard to the demand for yard taps were correct.
Impact Monitoring: MajiData
The information collected (the inventory, including the geo-referenced picture) will be entered in the project layer off MajiData. MajiData is the pro-poor online database of the WSTF which contains detailed information on 1,881 urban low income areas. Everyone with an internet connection (e.g. a connected computer or smartphone) is able to access MajiData and verify whether yard taps actually exist.
The Project Task Team members and Meter Readers should be able to assist in locating all the yard taps sites.
5. Metering, Tariffs and Operation
Metering and Meter Reading