Insitutional Constraints in Water Management: The French Case

The evolution of water governance in France from the 1960s: disputes as major drivers for radical changes within a consensual framework

“…Delegation is in France more widespread than anywhere else in the world (Clark & Mondello, 1999). Around 60% of the French population drinks tap water from services operated by a private operator (ONEMA, 2016).…”

The evolution of water governance in France from the 1960s: disputes as major drivers for radical changes within a consensual framework

“…• Municipalities may contract with private (or public) companies for operation, maintenance and commercial services ('délégation de service public') up to infrastructure investment (concession model) (Figure 2). Delegation is in France more widespread than anywhere else in the world (Clark & Mondello, 1999). Around 60% of the French population drinks tap water from services operated by a private operator (ONEMA, 2016).…”

Refuting the paradigm of water services privatisation

“…Clark and Mondello (1999) pointed out that several factors linked to the oligopolistic nature of the water management market create a situation where there is no effective competition. They considered that the most important reason for the popularity of delegation of authority is that mayors are personally liable for any damage due to negligence on their part in water resource management, including the protection of water supplies, river management, and pollution control.…”