Analyzing The Circumstances Leading to Tanzanian Customers' Non-Payment of Water Charges in Arusha Region:

Abstract

This study analyzed the circumstances leading to Tanzanian customers' non-payment of water charges in Arusha region. A case of Arusha Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (AUWSA). This study adopted descriptive research design. A total sample of 100 water users and AUWSA officials were used in this study. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used. Both interview, questionnaires and secondary data were used in this study. The data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study concluded that processing Systems, delivery mechanism, timeliness, follow ups and customer feedback (S.D= 0.432, M= 3.47 and S.D= 0.479, Mean= 3.70 and S.D= O.264 and Mean= 3.30 and S.D= 0.512) were the factors influencing billing system on the non-payment of water bills b y Water consumers of AUWSA. In the second research objective, the study concluded that they were undecided that pricing tariffs and tariff adjustments can influence of cost of water on the non-payment of water bills to AUWSA in one way or another (M=3.13 and S. D= 0.570) and (M=2.83 and S. D=0.663) influenced of cost of water on the non-payment of water bills to AUWSA. In the last objective, the study concluded that they agreed that consumer’s willingness to Pay (M=3.50 and S. D= 0.656), reliability of water supply (M=3.50 and S. D=0.352), sufficiency of water (M=3.77 and S. D= 0.525), quality of water (M=3.47 and S. D= 0.337), Awareness (M=3.50 and S. D= 0.408) influenced of water consumer behavior on the non-payment of water bilsto AUWSA. It is recommended that, In order to reduce unbilled authorized consumption, installation of standard meter design should be conducted align with repair of meter registration inaccuracies, AUWSA should continue upgrading aged infrastructure in its utilities for enhancing sufficient water supply and reduce risks associated with leakages and bursts, training and capacity building should be conducted to customers and staffs regarding the importance of reserving and managing water resources in order to streamline management of NRW fatalities