Resource economics and financing

Water can be an expensive commodity, particularly for highly-indebted low-income countries. In developing countries, public funding accounts for 65-70% of investments in water, 10-15% is paid for by development assistance and transnational corporations, and 5% from local businesses. Possible options for alternative funding sources include tax-payer contributions, raising the water price, and privatization of water and sanitation services at the local or national level. In countries that are highly indebted, socio-economic priorities like water cannot be served without foreign assistance. To attract international funds, these countries are often forced to turn to privatization of public suppliers of water; however, privatization can cause other challenges and obstacles to poor communities’ access to water.

Case Studies

Managing livestock and water for food and fodder New Dehli, India | June 1, 2004 Livestock plays a critical role in the livelihoods of 70 percent of the world’s poor, especially in the marginal, drought-prone and water-scarce areas. Learn more

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