Privatisation of water: New perspectives and future challenges

The global water market is attractive for private companies for reasons of reliability and opportunity.Due to its crucial nature, the demand for water remains steady despite variations in the economy.Governments around the world are looking towards private sector to deploy its management and financial capacities to this sector.Despite its prominence in recent debates and policies in the water sector, increasing private sector participation has achieved neither the scale nor the benefits anticipated.Recognition of water as a human right has given a new dimension to this sector.Public scrutiny of corrupt practices in the water sector is increasing.The potential market is huge but the challenges are complex.While water business is consolidating and growing, water companies seem to be unprepared for new challenges.