 What
happens when policies, legislation and required regulations
are in place? Is implementation realistic? Are institutional
and human capacities sufficient? Is the reform anchored
within society? And is adequate financing available?
Water reform is no stronger than its weakest link, implementation.
It is not too uncommon that reforms are not followed
through and implemented. The reasons vary but can include
lack of capacities, financing and over-ambitious reform
plans. Moreover, there can be powerful groups within
and outside governments and bureaucracies that resist
implementation.
Implemenation issues, including potential barriers, need
to be addressed when the content and process of water
reform are being developed. How the reform’s “losers”
can be compensated, whether the reforms are anchored
among relevant stakeholders, and if it requires mechanisms
for addressing conflicting water interests, are among
the issues to be considered. Making reform realistic
to implement might necessitate that some countries opt
for “second-best” solutions and incremental
steps towards improving water resources and services
situations. Though less than perfect, such reforms are
at least realistic to implement. |
