Data and Code for: Expanding Access to Clean Water for the Rural Poor: Experimental Evidence from Malawi

Using data from an 18-month randomized trial, we estimate large and sustained impacts on water purification and child health of a program providing monthly coupons for free water treatment solution (diluted chlorine) to households with young children. The program is more effective and much more cost-effective than asking Community Health Workers (CHWs) to distribute free chlorine to households during routine monthly visits. That is because only 40% of households make use of free chlorine, targeting through CHWs is worse than self-targeting through coupon redemption, and water treatment promotion by CHWs does not increase chlorine use among free chlorine beneficiaries. Non-use of free chlorine is driven by households who have a protected water source and those who report that chlorine makes water taste bad.

 Time Period:   3/2018 – 8/2019

Universe:   Rural households with children under 7 in Southern Malawi

Data Type:   survey data

Response Rate:   91%

Sampling:    Random sampling of eligible households within selected areas in Neno and Mwanza districts of Malawi. Eligible households were households with at least one child under the age of 6 as November 2017.

Data Source:   Original data collected by the Principal Investigators

Collection Mode(s):    face-to-face interview

Unit(s) of Observation:   household; child

The following publications are supplemented by the data in this project.

• “Expanding Access to Clean Water for the Rural Poor: Experimental Evidence from Malawi.” American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, n.d.