Tapping the market : the challenge of institutional reform in the urban water sector

The authors discuss the role governments should play in the reform of the urban water sector to ensure the effective and safe provision of water to the poorest communities in urban areas of developing countries at a reasonable and affordable cost. Multi-country research is the basis for the consideration whether governments can undertake a new role of economic regulation in the sector, while acting as a partner to the private sector in the provision of water supply and how they can develop the necessary capacity. The book includes chapters on the structure and performance of urban water utilities; explanations of performance and reform responses; choosing public private partnerships; the challenge of the concession model; addressing the water needs of the urban poor; regulating and enabling the direct providers; taking account of capacity; and reforming urban water sector reform.