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Social Policy, Regulation and Private Sector water supply: the case of Colombia

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  • Marcela Meléndez
  • Andrés Gómez-Lobo Echeñique

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of PSP on the poor in the Colombian water sector in terms of access, continuity of service and affordability. Overall, the results indicate that PSP in the Colombian water sector has had a strong and positive impact on the poor as far as continuity of service is concerned; which is crucial for effective water supply to the poor. We also find a positive effect on sewerage connection rates among the poor. The evidence is less robust for piped water connection rates, where PSP either had a positive or neutral effect on connection rates among the poor. As regards affordability of service there is no statistically significant effect of PSP. This last result may be associated with the particular water subsidy scheme used in Colombia. In turn, this points to the importance of complementary social policies as a way to mitigate the impact of reform on the poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcela Meléndez & Andrés Gómez-Lobo Echeñique, 2007. "Social Policy, Regulation and Private Sector water supply: the case of Colombia," Working Papers wp252, University of Chile, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:udc:wpaper:wp252
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Felipe Barrera‐Osorio & Mauricio Olivera & Carlos Ospino, 2009. "Does Society Win or Lose as a Result of Privatization? The Case of Water Sector Privatization in Colombia," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 76(304), pages 649-674, October.
    2. Fabio Sánchez Torres & Mónica Pachón, 2013. "Descentralización, Esfuerzo Fiscal y Progreso Social en Colombia en el Nivel Local, 1994-2009: ¿Por qué Importa la Política Nacional?," Documentos CEDE 11468, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    3. Mauricio Olivera & Felipe Barrera, 2007. "La sociedad gana o pierde como resultado de la privatizacion? El caso de Colombia," Research Department Publications 3231, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    4. Philippe Marin, 2009. "Public-Private Partnerships for Urban Water Utilities : A Review of Experiences in Developing Countries," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2703, December.
    5. Fabio Sánchez Torres & Mónica Pachón, 2013. "Decentralization, Fiscal Effort and Social Progress in Colombia at the Municipal Level, 1994-2009: Why Does National Politics Matter?," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 81418, Inter-American Development Bank.
    6. Arthur Dassan & Joelson Oliveira Sampaio & Vinicius Augusto Brunassi Silva & Rodrigo De-Losso, 2021. "Private Means Better? A Water and Sanitation Quasi-experimental Design," Working Papers, Department of Economics 2021_22, University of São Paulo (FEA-USP).

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