Governance comes from the verb to govern. With the official recognition of sustainable development in the 90s, the meaning of the word was expanded to include managing public or private businesses in such a way as to include the participation of civil society.
The Governance of Water Services
The number of people deprived of regular and sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation should be halved by 2015
This is the goal set by the United Nations in 2000 and 2002. It can only be achieved if appropriate water governance is established in the countries concerned.
Clear Division of Responsibilities
In the countries of the south, as in the countries of the north, good governance requires a clear division of responsibilities between the various stakeholders involved in the water sector (public authorities, operating companies, lenders and associations etc.) and of course the civil society.
The rules of governance must clearly lay out the responsibilities of each stakeholder, whether they are to draw up the water policy, operate the infrastructure, provide investment funding or monitor the performance of water services etc.
Ensuring there is a mutual understanding about each other's responsabilities, clearly defining the roles of all stakeholders and by encouraging all stakeholders to listen to each other, the aim of governance systems is that water and wastewater services operate properly as well as respect what is best for the common good both in the short and long term.
The Important Role of Local Authorities
Due to the vast array of different local circumstances and the high cost of transporting water, water services have to be provided for locally. A local service requires local governance. It is then the role of local authorities to choose the level of service as well as the monitoring procedure to adopt with the operating company in charge of providing the water service.
The Public Private Partnership - a Tool of Good Governance
Veolia Water usually operates as part of a Public Private Partnership. This facilitates good governance in the sense that it allows for a clear division of responsibilities between the water operating company and the authority via a fixed term contract, which sets the performance levels to be attained.
Once bi-lateral, this relationship developed into a tripartite relationship between the concessionaire, the private operating company and consumers. It has since expanded to include associations and non governmental organizations from the water sector. The dialogue that has been established between the various elements of the civil society is aimed at reconciling all their different interests in the best way possible.
In France, the Comités de Bassin des Agences de l'Eau (Committees of the Water Basin Agencies) and the Commissions Consultatives des Services Publics Locaux (Advisory Committees for Public Utilities) have strengthened the role played by the public or their representatives in the way water services are run. Since 2003 it has been compulsory for all French administrative areas with more than 10,000 inhabitants to have such committees.