Improving effectiveness and efficiency in the water sector: institutions, infrastructure and indicators

Araral, Eduardo

doi:10.2166/wp.2010.010

Cited by 15 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Different legislation as well as concepts and definitions may be used in each country which reduces the comparability of the data (Araral, 2010). Moreover, fluctuations in the purchasing power parity, the different levels of outsourcing, specific differences on explanatory factors and other contrasts like wages, taxes and tariff rules often hinder the validity of the findings (De Witte and Marques, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring the efficiency of water utilities: a cross-national comparison between Portugal and Italy

et al. 2012

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Abstract:All over the world, governments are compelling water utilities to improve their efficiency and productivity through reforms and tougher regulatory tools. Despite the different strategies and approaches, the goals remain the same: to make the whole sector more efficient, to curb the profits and the 'quiet life' of water utilities and to pass the productivity gains to customers through reduced prices or better environmental protection and quality of service. The water sector in Portugal and Italy underwent deep reforms in the 1990s, in pursuit of higher levels of performance. Therefore, there is added interest to measure the performance of water utilities in these two Mediterranean countries. We assess their performance using composite (global) indicators on a sample of 88 water utilities for the year 2007. While we compare the performance of the two countries in this sector we also try to identify the impact of the ownership structure on efficiency. Finally, this paper discusses the benchmarking results of our research and draws some policy implications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring the efficiency of water utilities: a cross-national comparison between Portugal and Italy

et al. 2012

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“…The conceptual SEM, with hypothesized relationships between variables, is shown in Figure . The solid lines show the hypotheses informed by published SEM research, − , whereas postulated hypotheses based on strong theory (not previously tested by SEM) are shown with dashed lines. One example of how these relationships can be read is as follows: perceived water quality is negatively influenced by perceived health risks from one’s current living conditions and positively influenced by measured water quality , safe water practices , and satisfaction with the dwelling environment .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A handful of researchers have utilized SEM to identify factors that impact perceived water quality, − while others have relied on summary statistics to analyze perception of sanitation and water quality in underserved communities. ,, The impacts of environmental health and household demographics on diarrheal health burden were explored with SEM in rural Guatemala and Brazil. , Specifically, this technique quantified the impact of higher education level, proper water filter maintenance, and improved water supply on reducing diarrheal health burden . Another study used a comparative SEM technique (i.e., grouping different sample populations) to reveal that environmental exposure variables related to diarrhea and systemic inflammation proxies varied between female and male children under five .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Structural Equation Model to Decipher Relationships among Water, Sanitation, and Health in Colonias-Type Unincorporated Communities

Rowles

Whittaker

Ward

et al. 2020

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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The colonias along the United StatesMexico border are generally self-built neighborhoods of low-income families that lack basic infrastructure. While some government assistance has provided roads and electricity, water and wastewater services are still lacking in many colonias. This research is the first to collect a comprehensive dataset on water, sanitation, health, and living conditions in these unincorporated neighborhoods through collection of water samples and surveys; 114 households in 23 colonias across three geographically diverse Texas counties are studied. Water quality is assessed via traditional microbial indicators, chlorine, and arsenic. This complex dataset requires an advanced statistical tool to disentangle relationships among diverse factors. Structural equation modeling is utilized to identify relationships among surveyed and measured variables. The model reveals that colonias residents with well/hauled water accurately predict their water quality, while those with treated+piped water tend to think that their water is worse than it actually is. Dwelling quality and connection to sanitary sewers influence perceived health risks and household health, respectively. Furthermore, these communities have an overwhelming need and desire for point-of-use water treatment. This model can inform decision making and may be adapted to probe other questions and social dynamics for water and sanitation in unincorporated communities elsewhere.

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“…A central reason for these mixed results comes from the measures used to evaluate WSU performance (Berg & Marques, 2011;Araral, 2010a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the impact of water service regulatory reforms in Italy: a multidimensional approach

2013

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In 1994 the regulatory framework of water services in Italy was radically modified, by transforming a traditional ublicly operated system, which relied heavily for investments on fiscal budgets, into a system made up of self- ustaining corporate enterprises regulated at arm’s length. After 19 years, the time has come to make an assessment f what has been achieved. This paper develops an original methodology, inspired by the concept of water sustain- bility, which tries to integrate economic, environmental and financial aspects within a unique framework. Our nalysis discloses both allocative as well as distributive impacts of the reform, showing that it has been possible o generate some value for money while shifting the economic burden from taxpayers to service customers. How- ver, improvements have been too slight and many signs are showing that it will be rather problematic to speed them up without undertaking a substantial restyling

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Improving effectiveness and efficiency in the water sector: institutions, infrastructure and indicators

Cited by 15 publications

References 14 publications

Measuring the efficiency of water utilities: a cross-national comparison between Portugal and Italy

Measuring the efficiency of water utilities: a cross-national comparison between Portugal and Italy

A Structural Equation Model to Decipher Relationships among Water, Sanitation, and Health in Colonias-Type Unincorporated Communities

Assessing the impact of water service regulatory reforms in Italy: a multidimensional approach

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