Privatisation of Water: A Historical Perspective

Currently, over one billion people worldwide do not have access to drinking water, especially in the developing countries. Since access to water supply became one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), greater attention has been given to this sector. Increasing water coverage and maintaining inf...

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Main Author: Naren Prasad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: School of Oriental and African Studies 2007-09-01
Series:Law, Environment and Development Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://lead-journal.org/content/07217.pdf
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author Naren Prasad
author_facet Naren Prasad
author_sort Naren Prasad
collection DOAJ
description Currently, over one billion people worldwide do not have access to drinking water, especially in the developing countries. Since access to water supply became one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), greater attention has been given to this sector. Increasing water coverage and maintaining infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges confronting the water supply sector in developed and developing countries. Very often, water sector reform takes place by involving the private sector. How did this debate start and what is the rationale for the involvement of the private sector? This article looks at the history to demonstrate that private sector has indeed been instrumental in developing water infrastructure in industrialised countries. It also shows how international organisations have shaped today's water debate. It concludes by arguing that private sector participation in water supply may not be the right option and calls for re-thinking of the water debate.
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spelling doaj.art-5e2f4c19bdd84ad59e378db6c760a0992022-12-22T01:40:45ZengSchool of Oriental and African StudiesLaw, Environment and Development Journal1746-58931746-58932007-09-0132217233Privatisation of Water: A Historical PerspectiveNaren PrasadCurrently, over one billion people worldwide do not have access to drinking water, especially in the developing countries. Since access to water supply became one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), greater attention has been given to this sector. Increasing water coverage and maintaining infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges confronting the water supply sector in developed and developing countries. Very often, water sector reform takes place by involving the private sector. How did this debate start and what is the rationale for the involvement of the private sector? This article looks at the history to demonstrate that private sector has indeed been instrumental in developing water infrastructure in industrialised countries. It also shows how international organisations have shaped today's water debate. It concludes by arguing that private sector participation in water supply may not be the right option and calls for re-thinking of the water debate.http://lead-journal.org/content/07217.pdfInternational organisationsMDGprivatisationUnited Nationswater historyWorld Bank
spellingShingle Naren Prasad
Privatisation of Water: A Historical Perspective
Law, Environment and Development Journal
International organisations
MDG
privatisation
United Nations
water history
World Bank
title Privatisation of Water: A Historical Perspective
title_full Privatisation of Water: A Historical Perspective
title_fullStr Privatisation of Water: A Historical Perspective
title_full_unstemmed Privatisation of Water: A Historical Perspective
title_short Privatisation of Water: A Historical Perspective
title_sort privatisation of water a historical perspective
topic International organisations
MDG
privatisation
United Nations
water history
World Bank
url http://lead-journal.org/content/07217.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT narenprasad privatisationofwaterahistoricalperspective