Publication

This paper argues for the need to understand the impacts of improved water supply on socioeconomic livelihoods. It uses the sustainable livelihoods (SL) framework to analyze the role of water in poor households and assess operational and theoretical implications of the SL approach. The author discusses the health-based view within the water and sanitation sector and its relevance to achieving supply sustainability through demand-responsive approaches (DRA). He argues that overemphasizing health impacts does not fit with DRA and suggests focusing on the role of water within household livelihood strategies to encourage services demand and allow self-financed, participatory development.