On October 23, 2009, the World Bank published a new study on the water treatment and distribution activities of major private operators (such as SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, Veolia, Saur and Agbar) in emerging countries.

Directed at policy makers in governments as well as donors and other stakeholders, its aim is to better understand the contribution of water Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to help improve the provision of water and sanitation services to the urban populations of the developing world.

The study hopes to bring objective considerations to the debate between proponents of privatisation and public water utilities. Effectiveness is judged based on four criteria:

  • access to running water, including the guaranteed pressure and number of hours per day;
  • service quality;
  • operating efficiency, particularly in reducing network losses;
  • fees.

The study concludes that "well-managed public utilities can be found", but that "the private sector has much to offer". 

The World Bank also concludes that long-term contracts in which operators are completely in control of operations are the most effective.

Jean-Luc Touly, President of the NGO Contrat Mondial de l’Eau (ACME France), emphasises that "since the summer, multinationals have been trying to open dialogue with opponents of privatisation and to set up participatory agreements with non-governmental organisations in developing countries and consumers’ organisations in developed countries. In this way they hope to ensure monitoring and control of concessions and break down suspicions."


Find out more:

Download the complete World Bank report, "Public-Private Partnerships for Urban Water Utilities"