Liberalization and private sector involvement in the water industry: a review of the economic literature

Antonio, Massarutto (2007): Liberalization and private sector involvement in the water industry: a review of the economic literature. Published in: IEFE Working Paper Series , Vol. Workin, No. ISSN 1973-0381 (September 2007)

Abstract

The theoretical and empirical literature on water supply and sewerage liberalization is reviewed in this paper in order to discuss the potential for market creation and private sector involvement in this sector. The analysis is framed in the “policy roadmap” developed by regulatory economics and discusses opportunities for competition in the market, unbundling, competition for the market and yardstick competition. A review of studies comparing privately and publicly managed water utilities is finally provided.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Water supply and sewerage, liberalization, private sector involvement, water infrastructure, economic regulation
• Subjects: H - Public Economics > H5 - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies > H54 - Infrastructures ; Other Public Investment and Capital Stock; L - Industrial Organization > L5 - Regulation and Industrial Policy > L51 - Economics of Regulation; L - Industrial Organization > L9 - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities > L95 - Gas Utilities ; Pipelines ; Water Utilities; L - Industrial Organization > L3 - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise > L33 - Comparison of Public and Private Enterprises and Nonprofit Institutions ; Privatization ; Contracting Out