Various types of private enterprises,
community based organisations, water users' associations
and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can play important
roles, independently or in partnership with government
agencies, in the delivery of water services and management
of common resources. They can perform many roles and
functions. Private companies can provide water services
and/or be a part of maintaining infrastructures. NGOs
and community based organisations can act as links between
the state and community or be directly responsible for
natural resources management and service delivery: they
can also counterbalance the overwhelming governmental
and economic powers. Civil society organisations are
particularly strong in their knowledge of and links
to the local context. Such links and knowledge are very
important in determining the applicability of solutions
in local contexts. Local knowledge can form a basis
for flexible, innovative and dynamic institutional frameworks
for sustainable water development.
The privatisation of water services is particularly
controversial, and the issue at times is bogged down
in ideologically coloured debates that do not benefit
those lacking sustainable drinking water supply and
sanitation. Experience suggests that to make private
sector engagement work, effective government regulatory
powers are required.
Some key elements in successful partnerships include:
- shared vision
- compatibility
- equitable representation
- legitimacy
- communication
- mutual trust and understanding.
In many parts of the world there is a huge distrust
between the state, civil society and the market - "keeping
one another at arm's length". This does not render partnership
formation any easier. Despite such challenges it is
clear that various kinds of "triadic" partnerships -
involving government, civil society and private sector
- are required to improve water resources management
and services. The question should rather be to what
extent and in what ways they can be involved. |
