Household Demand For Improved Water Services in Ho Chi Minh City: A Comparison of Contingent Valuation and Choice Modeling Estimates

This study assesses the willingness of people in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to pay for improvement in their water supply system. It also investigates what aspects of water supply, such as quality and water pressure, are most important. The study was carried out in response to the growing number of water supply problems in the city. It was also done to highlight the need for 'consumer demand' to be given priority in water supply planning. Many of the households surveyed already had to do a lot - and spend a lot of money - to cope with the unreliable, poor-quality public water supply they currently use. The study also finds that people are on average willing to pay between VND148,000 and VND175,000 for improvements in their water supply; that households without piped water are more willing to pay for improved services than those that already enjoy a fixed supply; and that 'non-piped' households place more importance on water quality than water pressure.