Communal taps, a drop in the bucket? quasi-experimental evidence from Uganda

Lack of access to safe drinking water remains one of the greatest challenges faced by rural regions in Sub-Saharan Africa. A potential remedy lies in the improvement of local water sources. This study investigates the impact of communal taps on household drinking water quality, childhood diarrhea incidence, and water disinfection practices in rural Western Uganda. Using a quasi-experimental design, 244 households and 169 children under five were observed, with data collected through household surveys and water samples before and after the deployment of communal taps. Households closer to the taps were compared to those farther away, with geographical distance as an exogenous determinant of tap water adoption. The findings indicate a clear improvement in microbiological water quality at home, especially for households that can supplement tap water with rainwater harvesting. No reductions in the incidence of diarrhea in children were observed. Benefits are limited by supply and demand barriers that restrict exclusive tap use. Additionally, households might substitute water disinfection at home with tap water, undermining the full potential of the intervention.