The Influence Of Water Supply Services On Consumer’s Choice Of Water Meter: A Case Of Water Meters In The Selected Water Authorities In Tanzania

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of water supply services on consumer’s choice of water meter focusing post and pre-paid water meters in the selected water Authorities in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed to examine the influence of access, delivery, and affordability of water service on consumer’s choice of post and pre-paid water meters. The random sampling was used to select the sample size of this study which involve 100 customers from Songea and Mbeya water Authorities and purposive sampling was used to select two Managers from both water Authorities as key informants. The study used both primary and secondary data whereby the data were collected through questionnaire for survey and checklist for the key informants’ interview. The collected data were processed and analyzed by using SPSS software and Excel. The surveyed data were presented by using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as, logistic regression and chi-squire whereby the qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis to prove the results. The study found that, both access of water services, water service delivery and affordability of service influence the consumer’s choice on metering systems whether it is postpaid or pre- paid water meters. The overall access of service in terms of time used (p=0.006) and a place to pay (p=0.035) are significant at p=0.05. Hence, they are important factors for the choice of water meter. The service delivery measured by safety of the meter (p=0.024) and availability of spare parts are significant, while equal exchange p=0.90 is nonsignificant at (p=0.05). Which shows safety of the meter and availability of spare parts as the key factor for choosing water meter. Additionally, affordability of water service i.e. cost of water (p=0.057 non-significant), Cost of meter (p=0.035) Willingness to pay has (p=0. 0025) are significant all at p=0.05. Results depict that, cost of meter and willingness to pay affect significantly the choice of water meter. Therefore, choosing water meter depends on the access of water, service delivery and affordability of water services. It is safe to conclude that the intervention of pre-paid water meters against post- paid water meters should consider water supply services because it influences the choices of customers.