Description
For government policy makers and donors and other stakeholders, Marin, a water and sanitation specialist in the Energy, Transport, and Water department of the Sustainable Development Network of the World Bank, examines the access, service quality, operational efficiency, and tariff levels of about 65 large water public-private partnership projects (PPPs) in different regions from 1990 to 2007, with an aim to improve understanding of how to tackle challenges of providing water and sanitation services to urban populations in the developing world. He focuses on projects in which a private operator is introduced to run the utility and reviews the spread of urban PPPs to see whether and how they improved services and expanded access, as well as how governments can better use private initiatives to improve water supply and sanitation services in the developing world. The report synthesizes information from a study carried out by the Water Anchor of the Energy, Transport, and Water department of the World Bank, in partnership with the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility, between 2006 and 2008. It does not cover contracts limited to bulk facilities for construction, financing, and operation of water purification and wastewater treatment plants or technical assistance and service contracts. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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'Public-Private Partnerships for Urban Water Utilities: A Review of Experiences in Developing Countries' analyzes the market growth of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the developing world since 1990, and the performance of more than 65 large water PPP projects—representing more than 100 million people—for access, service quality, operational efficiency, and tariff levels. Although a relatively small portion of the water utilities in the developing world are operated under PPPs (about 7 percent in 2007), the urban population served by private water operators has grown every year since 1990. Despite many difficulties encountered by PPP projects and a few contract terminations, a large majority of contracts awarded since 1990 are still in place. The track record for improving service and efficiency reaffirms the value of PPPs to help turn around poorly performing water utilities, even though the level of private financing did not match initial expectations. Over time, a more realistic market has developed, the number of private investors from developing countries has grown, and contract designs have become more pragmatic concerning risk allocations between partners. The water sector has many features that set it apart from other infrastructure sectors. This book suggests the need for careful consideration of those specificities to successfully involve private operators. Although concessions with private financing have worked in a few places, contractual arrangements that combine private operation with public financing appear to be the most sustainable option in many countries. Policy makers, stakeholders, and donors need to remain heavily engaged in the water sector, especially in the poorest countries and during a global financial crisis. This book contributes to a better understanding of the various options to tackle the many challenges of providing water and sanitation services to urban populations in the developing world.
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