Taiz Governorate is suffering from a severe water crisis caused by an interplay of political, structural, geographical, environmental, and security factors. The ongoing war since 2015 has exacerbated the situation, leading to the destruction of water network infrastructure and the near-total collapse of the public water utility.
In the absence of public services, the private water market became the primary source for meeting residents’ needs. Yet, it evolved in a disorganized and unregulated setting, driving water prices to levels far beyond the reach of most households, particularly those in low-income and overcrowded neighborhoods.
Recently, the water crisis in Taiz has become a pressing issue, with acute shortages in access to drinking water and long queues of residents waiting to obtain limited quantities.
This paper aims to shed light on the administrative dimension of the water crisis in Taiz, with a focus on regulating the private water market as a practical and realistic approach to alleviating the economic burden on residents and achieving a minimum level of water equity.
It also analyzes the root causes of this water crisis from an administrative perspective, highlighting the challenges facing both official and non-official entities in managing this vital resource, and examining the impact of poor governance on the sustainability of water services.
Furthermore, the paper proposes feasible administrative and regulatory mechanisms, considering the realities of local institutions and the potential for partnerships with relevant actors. The proposed recommendations aim to establish an integrated framework that ensures the provision of safe and clean water at affordable prices, strengthens the community’s resilience and adaptability to current conditions, and works toward achieving sustainable water security for all segments of society in Taiz.
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