We argue that the concession contracts in the Italian water sector may have been shaped by the very local circumstances. In turn, different contract designs may have influenced the aptitude of bidding companies. To investigate these issues, we assemble an original dataset and two composite...

Recently, many emerging countries have established subsidized health insurance schemes to provide financial protection and support access to health care to poor households. The challenge to ensure the long term sustainability of such schemes is huge. In this paper, the impact of the health...

What needs to be done to enable the domestic private sector to expand its role in the provision of safe water and improved sanitation to the poor in developing countries? Is an expanded role constrained because there is limited market potential, or is the problem the fact that business models...

Well-run water utilities play an important role in ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Consumers need reliable access to high quality and affordable water and sanitation services. To deliver these basic services efficiently and effectively requires high-performing utilities that are...

In 2011, 31 new water and sewerage projects reached financial or contractual closure in six lower-and upper-middle income countries: Algeria (1), Brazil (2), China (26), Jordan (1), Mexico (1) and Peru (1). Total investment commitments in water projects reached US$2.6.2 billion, of which over...

This article analyzes the impact of the Colombian water and sewerage provision reforms, on child mortality and access rates. A reform indicator is defined by considering the entry of a new operator, different from local government. Using a difference in differences methodology, the effect of...

Natural disasters have increasingly damaged water supply and sanitation (WSS) facilities and infrastructure, leaving entire communities without safe and reliable drinking water and the appropriate disposal of wastewater. These emergency events could arise from inundation of facilities, loss of...

A set of case studies was prepared as part of the World Bank's Water Global Practice initiative "Wastewater. Shifting paradigms: from waste to resource" to document existing experiences in the water sector on the topic. The case studies highlight innovative financing and contractual...