The business of water and sustainable development

The first part of this book discusses general theory and looks at aspects of water and sanitation privatization and new technologies. The final two parts present case studies from rural and urban areas. The book starts with the issue of demand-side information in water utility operations and planning, the pricing of water, the provision of reliable treatment in water and sanitation projects, and the balance of strategic management, daily operational management and sustainability within water utilities. It gives an overview of the recent global trend towards privatization, examines alternative private-sector participation contracts. It assesses what is known regarding the relationship between the ownership and performance of water utilities. It studies the effects of private-sector involvement in the water sector, and asks the question whether joint-use municipal–industrial infrastructure projects could help promote service coverage expansion. The potential use of geothermal energy to power a desalination plant and the possibility of using dry sanitation options are examined. The book explores the potential for water metering in rural areas and studies the sustainable supply of water to isolated rural populations.