Water Prices in CEE and CIS Countries. Volume II: Case Studies
Chapter 7.
Consequences for Methodology
In terms of the methodology the following conclusions emerge:
Water charges, not tariffs, should be analysed. The population is being billed according to a norm, which implies a consumption of 300 lcd (applies for most households). Metered consumption for most households is likely to be in the order of magnitude of 100 - 150 lcd.
If tariff increases lead to widespread, voluntary metering this will have significant consequences both for Vodokanal revenues and for distribution of costs among consumer groups.
Qualitative work
It is believed that the mix of in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion provides the best approach for the qualitative research. The group provided information that was not elicited in the indepth interviews. For instance, information on the non-payment of bills over a period of time was only elicited during the group discussion despite the fact that the question was asked in the in-depth interviews on whether people paid their bill.
With respect to the two types of groups:
 | Moderated by a member of the research team with consecutive translation of questions and simultaneous translation of responses (as in Poznan); |
| Moderated by a local with the research team watching with consecutive translation of questions and answers (as in Kaliningrad). |
There are advantages and disadvantages in connection with each type of focus group. The former provides more control for the research team and allows issues to be probed further, if necessary, but seems to inhibit a free-flowing discussion since there are breaks during translations. The latter provides for a much more free-flowing discussion although it is recommend that the group is taped (sound only or video and sound) so that the translation does not take place in the same room. It definitely affects the group dynamics with one or more respondents talking to the translator and not the other group members. Also, it is believed that this approach works better if the moderator is experienced.
Quantitative research
Mostly women have answered the questionnaire. The interviewed individuals are here thought of as representatives for the household rather than individuals. The relevant entity should be decided as part of the qualitative work.
If expenditure data are available on the respondents interviewed this is an easy way of expanding the information on the respondents while keeping a short questionnaire. This was possible in Kaliningrad because the respondents in the SP survey are chosen from an existing panel of households.
Affordability
Water charges must be analysed jointly with charges for other municipal services. The following links need to be considered:
| Affordability (household expenditures); |
| Formal links (subsidy policies etc.). |
Composition of expenditure is a useful complement to measure affordability. However, it is needed to develop some rule of thumb.