Institutional Governance and Regulation of Water Services: Second Edition

Institutional Governance and Regulation of Water Services aims to provide the key elements of policy, governance and regulation necessary for sustainable water and sanitation services. On policy matters, it covers important aspects including separation of policy and delivery, integrated planning, sustainable cost recovery, provisions for the poor, and transparency. Regulation and Regulatory Bodies are presented in their various forms, with discussion of why some form of independent scrutiny is essential for sustainability.

The focus is on what works and what does not, based on consideration of basic principles and on case studies in both developing and developed countries.

The early chapters discuss the key elements, with later chapters considering how these elements have come together in successful reforms of public sector operations. A chapter is devoted to the successful use of the private sector based on lessons learned from ‘failures’ of private contracts and the need for the application of sound procurement principles. The current trend is for a public sector model which benefits from business approaches, the so-called corporatised public utility.

Experience since the publication of the first edition in 2007 reinforces the importance of the key elements for sustainable water services. This second edition brings the material up to date and with some increased emphasis on public participation in its many forms. It refers to the opportunity for progress provided by the UN Declaration of Water and Sanitation as a Human Right, but only if it is implemented in a practical and sustainable way.

This book is aimed at providing an informative source for national and local governments responsible for water policy, for water utility managers, and for students who will be the policy makers of tomorrow. It is a teaching aid for courses on water policy, governance and regulation.

"This is a wise and useful book. Anyone working in the fields of water infrastructure and finance or international development will find it a treasure trove of information and insight."
G. Tracy Mehan III, Assistant Administrator for Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2001 to 2003 and Principal with The Cadmus Group, Inc., Arlington, Virginia, USA

"With ever increasingly complex water utility systems involving varying roles for the public and private sector in their ownership, management and investment, the roles of regulators have never been more vital. Michael Rouse's book is an essential read for learners and practitioners alike as it shares the experiences and insights of a lifetime in practical regulation. The book strips away political dogma and takes the reader through the essential components of what is needed for effective institutional governance and regulation of this most precious of resources."
Rachael McDonnell Oxford University Water Futures Program