Privatization of Water Supply in the Global Water Crisis: An Analysis of the Threats and Opportunities of Private Sector Involvement

Abstract

Objectives

The main objective of this study was to identify if and how the private water sector could be used to combat the current global water crisis. Specifically, the threats and opportunities of private sector involvement in extending the water network and guaranteeing access to sufficient, safe water supply in the future were examined.

Summary

Water is essential to human existence and a basis for multiple aspects of environmental, political and social justice. Although nations and intergovernmental organizations have made official commitments to improving access to safe, sufficient, and affordable water supply, the public water sector has been unable to achieve these goals. Therefore, this research conducted qualitative interviews with experts in the industry to determine ways in which the private water sector can be safely utilized to fight globally increasing water scarcity.

Conclusions

The qualitative research concluded that the private sector is needed in solving the global water crisis. Corporations were found to be especially beneficial in the three following ways: - Efficiency, dynamicity, and ability to achieve cost recovery - Innovation, technological development, and know-how - Construction, maintenance, and technological skills It was also discovered that contracts, preconditions, regulatory tools and governance are significant in sustainably including the private sector in water supply. The conclusions of this thesis offer useful information for both private and public sectors. The tools presented can be used to further accomplish universal water supply.