As in every World Forum, the question of the price of water is on the agenda of the Forum in Istanbul.

It has been repeated that water in its natural state is priceless, but that access to drinking water has a cost, corresponding to its treatment and its distribution. The stages involved in pumping, treating, transporting, collecting, and purifying water require investments to build and renew facilities (supply networks, production plants etc.) and also generate operating costs (maintenance, personnel, power to run the equipment, water analyses and so on) no matter who operates the service.

The operator can make suggestions on the various rate options, but the price of water is always defined by the local authorities, according to their social and/or environmental objectives.

Pricing is decisive in order to:
- guarantee effective implementation of the right to water
- preserve water resources

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