Les logiques contingentes des politiques départementales de sécurisation de l’eau potable

This article deals with the restructuring of the territorial management of drinking water in France over the last twenty years, whereby the main issue has shifted from the accessibility of tap water to all households to the guarantee of its security. Following a socio-historical and institutional approach, this article details the main developments in this sector through a global analysis and two case-studies at the district (?département?) scale of management. It thus sets out to question the territorial implementation of a national public policy. More precisely, the conditions producing different outcomes in terms of district policies are outlined. The research shows the significance of social transactions between stakeholders involved in an ?associates-rivals? configuration. These transactions fall within three main repertoires/categories of action: the technical tools and infrastructures, the political project/agenda and the economic dimension.