Adopted in 2009, Private Sector Participation in Water Infrastructure is practical guidance for governments wishing to engage the private sector in water infrastructure. Presented in the form of a OECD Checklist for Public Action, the guidance provides a coherent set of policy directions addressing the allocation of roles, risks and responsibilities, and the framework conditions for optimising private sector participation.

We are now working with Egypt, Lebanon, Mexico, Russia and Tunisia to conduct assessments of framework conditions for private sector participation in water infrastructure against the Checklist for Public Action. Three reports have been published to date:

• Mexico: Assessment of Mexico, June 2012, developed in partnership with CONAGUA
  This assessment also contributes to a broader OECD / CONAGUA partnership in support to the implementation of the 2030 Water Agenda

• Lebanon: Framework conditions for Private Sector Participation in Water Infrastructure in Lebanon, November 2011 [Version française]
   
• Egypt: Assessment of Egypt, August 2010
   
• Russia: Assessment of Russia, August 2010, see also Regional Meeting on Private Sector Participation in water and sanitation in EECCA 

Overview of the Guidance

Worldwide, over a billion people lack access to drinking water and 2.6 billion to basic sanitation. Developing and managing water and sanitation infrastructure constitutes an urgent and major challenge. Just halving the proportion of people without access to drinking water and sanitation by 2015 would require investments of some USD 72 billion per year.

To meet these tremendous needs, many countries seek out the private sector to modernise and expand their water and sanitation infrastructure and/or to improve the efficiency of water systems. To make the most of private sector participation, an effective regulatory framework should be in place and key principles of good partnerships should be followed.