ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF KADUNA STATE WATER SECTOR POLICIES ON RURAL WATER SUPPLY OUTCOMES

This study assessing the impact of Kaduna State water sector policies in improving rural water supply. Despite the existence oflegalframeworks, policy guidelines, and implementing institutions, many rural communities in Kaduna State continue to experience limited access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water. The study was anchored on Policy Implementation Theory, supported by Public Goods Theory, to explain the gap between policy intentions and service delivery outcomes. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were collected from rural household heads, officials of the Kaduna State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), local government officials, and community leaders through structured questionnaires and semistructured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis. The findings revealed that although water sector policies and institutions exist in Kaduna State, their effectiveness in rural areas is constrained by weak implementation mechanisms, inadequate funding, limited institutional capacity, and low community participation. A significant proportion of rural water facilities were found to be non-functional or poorly maintained, forcing residents to rely on unsafe water sources and travel long distances to access water. Low awareness of water sector policies among rural dwellers further undermines sustainability and accountability. The study concludes that the challenge ofrural water supply in Kaduna State is primarily an implementation problem rather than a policy deficit. It recommends strengthening policy implementation and monitoring, improving funding for maintenance, enhancing institutional capacity, and promoting community ownership of water projects to ensure sustainable rural water supply.