Water and wastewater utilities performance

Currently, over one billion people lack access to water and over 2.4 billion lack access to basic sanitation. One of the main causes is poor performance by public water and wastewater utilities. In many countries with state-owned and operated utilities, there are usually severe limitations on the delivery and efficiency of water and sanitation services and in some cases are attributable to water losses close to 50%. Sewage treatment is often non-existent and which in turn leads to the gradual exhaustion and contamination of the water supply. Traditionally state-controlled and monopolized utilities are unable to invest the money and resources required to increase the scope and efficiency of their services. Public-private partnerships and strengthened institutional capacity are of paramount importance to increasing the efficiency and overall performance of water utilities performance and increasing the world’s access to water and sanitation.

Case Studies

South Africans gain access to drinking water Dwarsloop, South Africa | March 31, 2005 Today, as result of a USAID-funded project, water is flowing freely in Thulamahashe and Dwarsloop, and in other towns and villages in Bushbuckridge, an area in northeastern South Africa with some 140 communities and about 800,000 people. Learn more

Recovering water utility costs, a first in Egypt

Redefining wastewater treatment in Augusta, Georgia

Tending to treatment in Thailand

CH2M HILL delivers water to the West Bank

After the storm, relief

For every challenge, an opportunity

Moroccans secure precious natural resource

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