How "natural" are Natural Monopolies in the Water Supply and Sewerage Sector?

How
Author: Céline Nauges
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 38
Release: 2007
Genre: Delivery of Water Supply
ISBN:

Using data from the International Benchmarking NETwork database, the authors estimate measures of density and scale economies in the water industry in four countries (Brazil, Colombia, Moldova, and Vietnam) that differ substantially in economic development, piped water and sewerage coverage, and characteristics of the utilities operating in the different countries. They find evidence of economies of scale in Colombia, Moldova, and Vietnam, implying the existence of a natural monopoly. In Brazil the authors cannot reject the null hypothesis of constant returns to scale. They also find evidence of economies of customer density in Moldova and Vietnam. The results of this study show that the cost structure of the water and wastewater sector varies significantly between countries and within countries, and over time, which has implications for how to regulate the sector.

How "Natural" are Natural Monopolies in the Water Supply and Sewerage Sector? Case Studies from Developing and Transition Economies

How
Author: C??line Nauges
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2012
Genre:
ISBN:

Using data from the International Benchmarking NETwork database, the authors estimate measures of density and scale economies in the water industry in four countries (Brazil, Colombia, Moldova, and Vietnam) that differ substantially in economic development, piped water and sewerage coverage, and characteristics of the utilities operating in the different countries. They find evidence of economies of scale in Colombia, Moldova, and Vietnam, implying the existence of a natural monopoly. In Brazil the authors cannot reject the 0 hypothesis of constant returns to scale. They also find evidence of economies of customer density in Moldova and Vietnam. The results of this study show that the cost structure of the water and wastewater sector varies significantly between countries and within countries, and over time, which has implications for how to regulate the sector.

How Natural are Natural Monopolies in the Water Supply and Sewerage Sector? Case Studies from Developing and Transition Economies

How Natural are Natural Monopolies in the Water Supply and Sewerage Sector? Case Studies from Developing and Transition Economies
Author: Céline Nauges
Publisher:
Total Pages: 38
Release: 2016
Genre:
ISBN:

Using data from the International Benchmarking NETwork database, the authors estimate measures of density and scale economies in the water industry in four countries (Brazil, Colombia, Moldova, and Vietnam) that differ substantially in economic development, piped water and sewerage coverage, and characteristics of the utilities operating in the different countries. They find evidence of economies of scale in Colombia, Moldova, and Vietnam, implying the existence of a natural monopoly. In Brazil the authors cannot reject the null hypothesis of constant returns to scale. They also find evidence of economies of customer density in Moldova and Vietnam. The results of this study show that the cost structure of the water and wastewater sector varies significantly between countries and within countries, and over time, which has implications for how to regulate the sector.

Privatization of Water Services in the United States

Privatization of Water Services in the United States
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 159
Release: 2002-09-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309074444

In the quest to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of water and wastewater services, many communities in the United States are exploring the potential advantages of privatization of those services. Unlike other utility services, local governments have generally assumed responsibility for providing water services. Privatization of such services can include the outright sale of system assets, or various forms of public-private partnershipsâ€"from the simple provision of supplies and services, to private design construction and operation of treatment plants and distribution systems. Many factors are contributing to the growing interest in the privatization of water services. Higher operating costs, more stringent federal water quality and waste effluent standards, greater customer demands for quality and reliability, and an aging water delivery and wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure are all challenging municipalities that may be short of funds or technical capabilities. For municipalities with limited capacities to meet these challenges, privatization can be a viable alternative. Privatization of Water Services evaluates the fiscal and policy implications of privatization, scenarios in which privatization works best, and the efficiencies that may be gained by contracting with private water utilities.

Routledge Handbook of Urban Water Governance

Routledge Handbook of Urban Water Governance
Author: Thomas Bolognesi
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 400
Release: 2022-09-01
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1000644596

This handbook provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art overview of urban water governance. Of the many growing challenges presented by rapid urbanization, water governance is a critical one and while urban water governance is now regarded as a critical field of research, the literature is fragmented. For the first time, this handbook brings together urban water governance research, containing interdisciplinary contributions from established and emerging scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. It addresses the key questions of how urban water governance works, how is it shaped, and what the impacts are. The handbook's structure offers a progressive entry into the complexity of urban water governance. Starting with technical dimensions, the handbook addresses supply and demand, wastewater, and sanitation. It then considers regulation and economic factors, examining water utilities and services. Political processes, and the actors involved, are addressed and the handbook finishes with a part focusing on governance and sustainability, where chapters address critically important topics such as access to water, water safety, and water security. This handbook is essential reading for students, scholars, and professionals interested in urban water governance, urban studies, and water resource management and sustainability more broadly.

Utilities Reform in Twenty-First Century Australia

Utilities Reform in Twenty-First Century Australia
Author: Malcolm Abbott
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 404
Release: 2021
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0198865066

Utilities Reform in 21st Century Australia: Providing the Essentials traces the development and consequences of the economic reform measures undertaken in the utilities sector in Australia (communications, energy, water/wastewater services, and transport) in the last years of the 20th century, and early decades of the 21st century. In doing so, it looks at the process of reform across industries, and across the state and federal jurisdictions, to identify what motivations the various governments had for pursing reform, how change varied across jurisdictions, and what issues arose in the process. Although by the mid-1990s all states and territories and the Australian Government were committed to reforming utilities as part of the National Competition Policy, not all pursued this reform with the same degree of speed and breadth of action. The broad trends of economic reform in Australia, and abroad, are also touched upon, to provide an outline of the wider context in which the reform of the utilities occurred. This book, therefore, explores the relationship between politics and society on the one hand and economic reform on the other; as well on as the efforts of governments in Australia to promote economic growth and the wealth of Australians in an increasingly complex and challenging global economic climate.

Environmental Law: Text, Cases & Materials

Environmental Law: Text, Cases & Materials
Author: Elizabeth Fisher
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 1160
Release: 2013-04-25
Genre: Law
ISBN: 0199270880

This new title offers a compact and complete resource for students, featuring extracts from leading cases and articles alongside clear explanations and insightful analysis from an experienced author team. This unique approach places environmental law in context, enabling you to develop a clear and sophisticated understanding of this dynamic area.

Water Resources Management

Water Resources Management
Author:
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 144
Release: 1993-01-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9780821326367

Also available in Arabic, French, and Spanish:Arabic: Stock No. 12639 (ISBN 0-8213-2637-2) / Price code 006French: Gestion des ressources en eau. La Banque mondiale. Document de politique generale de la Banque mondiale / Stock No. 12637 (ISBN 0-8213-2637-6) / $6.95 / Price code 006Spanish: La ordenacion de los recursos hidricos. El Banco Mundial. Documento de poljtica del Banco Mundial / Stock No. 12638 (ISBN 0-8213-2638-4) / $6.95 / Price code 006All editions: $6.95 / Price code 006.This study examines new World Bank policies that deal with scarce water resources in developing countries. It provides a framework to help governments design effective water management programs.Countries can tailor the framework to suit their needs. The study describes key policy goals that each country program should adopt. It discusses ways to make industry control pollution and conserve water. It suggests means of making water more accessible and sewage collection and treatment more efficient.Practical ways to modernize irrigation techniques and hydropower systems, to protect ecosystems, minimize resettlement, and maintain biodiversity are outlined. Low-cost methods of providing drinking water for the rural poor and water for industry and agriculture are recommended.The study also recommends institutional and regulatory reforms that use incentives to promote more efficient water use and services, employ new water conservation technology, and let communities join in water management.The study describes the conditions that would affect World Bank lending to individual countries. It reviews the water management problems that would get urgent consideration. It also examines how Bank support is affected by a country's commitment to sound water management.