The Role of Governance in Maintaining Local Public Goods: Evidence from Drinking Water Systems in Karnataka

The National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to provide all rural households in India with safe and convenient access to drinking water. JJM represents one of the largest consolidated investments in water infrastructure, with a 2022 central government allocation of US$7.5 billion (Rs 600 billion). In Karnataka, the operation and maintenance of piped water infrastructure, including raising maintenance funds, is fully decentralized to Panchayat administrations and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs). Field visits in rural Karnataka indicate that VWSCs often do not function as intended. Only one in five villages visited during preliminary fieldwork had functional committees. Payment rates for water fees also vary widely. Without a steady flow of fee revenues, communities and Gram Panchayats lack the resources needed to ensure a reliable supply of clean water.

This study aims to describe existing systems for the operation and maintenance of JJM piped water services and assess whether local governance interventions can improve their sustainability. Researchers are proposing interventions designed to study core questions related to governance, pricing, and the long-term viability of rural water services under JJM. A multi-arm randomized evaluation will measure the effects of several complementary interventions, ranging from institutional strengthening to new pricing mechanisms, allowing for rigorous comparison of approaches to improve operation and maintenance outcomes under the scheme. The study is expected to be implemented across 500 selected Har Ghar Jal villages in nine districts in Karnataka.