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Water Privatisation : Too Much Regulation?

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  • Colin Robinson

Abstract

Water privatisation has had some success in allowing capital to be raised without going to government, in improving efficiency and in depoliticising industry decisions. But there is little sign of the liberalisation that, in other privatised utilities (notably gas and electricity), has been so beneficial to customers. It is time to reconsider the view that ‘water is different’ and to examine how to liberalise the water market. Two necessary steps appear to be to separate the pipeline networks from other activities and to adopt a more light‐handed approach to environmental and quality regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Colin Robinson, 2004. "Water Privatisation : Too Much Regulation?," Economic Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(3), pages 24-31, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecaffa:v:24:y:2004:i:3:p:24-31
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0270.2004.t01-1-00487.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dieter Helm & Najma Rajah, 1994. "Water regulation: the periodic review," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 74-94, May.
    2. George J. Stigler, 1971. "The Theory of Economic Regulation," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 2(1), pages 3-21, Spring.
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