The impact of the delegated management model of urban piped service delivery on water quality in Kisumu, Kenya

Delegated management (DMM) is a water service delivery model, whereby micro-operators financially and operationally manage underserved areas of a piped network. This post-hoc evaluation aimed to assess the impact of DMM on water safety. Kiosk and household stored water in DMM and matched control areas were tested for microbiological quality, showing comparable, substantial post-collection contamination. DMM increased household piped connections, reducing the need for household water storage and thereby post-collection contamination. However, DMM kiosk users remain exposed to recontaminated water. DMM remains a viable service delivery model, but other strategies are needed to address post-collection contamination of household stored water. • Delegated management (DMM) devolves local water management to micro-enterprises. • Household stored water from kiosks was recontaminated in both DMM and non-DMM areas. • There were more water interruptions in DMM areas, placing water safety at risk. • DMM accelerated household piped water connections, reducing need for water storage.