Low-income Customer Support Units - case studies

This series of case studies explores how utilities have set up and sustained successful Low-income Customer Support Units in urban areas.

Over the last decade, it has become common knowledge that residents of low-income urban communities are paying for effective, affordable pro-poor WASH services. A few smart utilities have pioneered ways of providing viable inclusive services. 

WaterAid has worked with some of these utilities over the last two decades, resulting in a win-win scenario for both customer and utility. In recent times, more utilities have approached WaterAid for similar support to help them establish specialised Low-income Customer Support Units.

WaterAid has compiled a set of case studies to explore how utilities have set up and sustained successful Low-income Customer Support Units in urban areas. It is hoped that this will deepen understanding and share lessons on the critical context and professional conditions necessary to establish successful pro-poor units. 

We draw on the experiences of utilities through three case studies in Uganda, Malawi and Bangladesh, and desk research in Zambia and Kenya.