r - part - usaid

4.3-2.3. Actual and Assumed Water Prices
Water for humza consumption is ge~erally sold at the well
site in 20 and 40 liter containers, In some areas an immediate
cash transaction occurs in which the correct price is
maintained. Nofe often, however, it was found that at villages
in the Bay Region, monthly consuxiptian for each household is
estimated, and a flat fee is collected each month.
The pricing structure for livestock watering is even more
subject to error. Camels need to be watered ones every one to
three weeks, cattle every other day, and sheep and goats every
three or four days, Various estimates exist of the average
daily water requireaents of these animals. If a camel requires
20 liters per day, and visits the well only once every week, it
will consume 100 liters during that visit. At So. Sh. 18 per
cubic meter, this works out to So.Sh.2.50 per visit. Based on
the l imited surveys conducted by the Planning Unit, the usual
charge far camels averages only So.Sh.1.00 per visit. The
calculated figure of 140 liters per visit, however, takes no
account of the camel's capacity to drink *:hat quantity at one
time, nar, more importantly, what access it has had to water, or
water bearlng plants, during the preceding sevm days. At some
village well sites with a fixed population of users, a regular
monthly paynent fron each household is agreed c?on for livestock
watering. The practice of water pricing at the well sites is
discussed more fully in Section 3.0.
Calcul3tion of well revenues based on the amount of water
~rcduced is also subject to error. Pamps and diesel engines
become less efficient over tine. seepage from pits at sites
with no civil works is considerable, and sane evaporation takes
place at all open storage tanks. At sites equipped with
completed civil works, leaks often develop at valves or at
troughs.
Existing reliable data oa any of these important variables
is very limited, and shows a wide range of conditions and
practices throughout the t w ~ regions studied, The discussion
from this point assumes a correct charge of So.Sh.18 per cubic
meter paid for all water produced, and a wastage allowed of 10%.
Czlculatioi~ of the volume sf water produced is based on the same
variables as are used in calculating fuel consumption. There is
currently no charge for water drawn from wells equipped with
hand pumps.
Tables 2.4.20 and 2.4.21 show the NPVts of 12-year costs
and revenues cf wells in the say Region and Central Range
respectively. tar the Bay Region, this shows a credit, or
"profitw, of US$5,54O, which gces some way to offset the capital