The direct beneficiaries are rural and peri-urban communities in the target areas. Thesecomprise farmers, low-income households, women, and youth. Improved water service delivery is expected to provide a range of benefits to these social groups. These include fulfilling the human right to water and sanitation, livelihood opportunities and jobs in irrigated agriculture, lower morbidity and public health risks from waterborne diseases, and enhanced environmental quality (including reduced odour emissions from unsafely managed latrines and untreated sewage) and decreased vulnerability to droughts and floods. Improved environmental quality is expected to enhance the recreational, mental, and physical health of the beneficiaries, as clean water bodies provide important spaces for recreation.