Water pricing

Having water users pay the full cost of the service can help to generate the funds needed for infrastructure development and maintenance and provide incentives for efficient water use. Most OECD countries have been moving towards water pricing schedules that reflect the full marginal costs of providing water services for households and industry. More weight is being given to social considerations to ensure affordable access to water services by all.

• Expert meeting on “Sustainable Financing for Affordable Water Services – From Theory to Practice” (Paris, November 14-15 2007) Rapporteur’s Summary
• Pricing water - OECD Observer article (2003)
• Social Issues in the Provision and Pricing of Water Service (2003)
• Key issues and recommendations for consumer protection: Affordability, Social Protection, and Public Participation in Urban Water Sector Reform in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
• Transition To Full-Cost Pricing Of Irrigation Water For Agriculture In OECD Countries (2003)
• The Price of Water: Trends in OECD countries (1999)
• World Water Week, August 2008, Stockholm, Sweden: Pricing and Financing for Affordable Water and Sanitation: How Can Different Stakeholders Contribute?