Prioritising the purpose: a Water System Justice framework for water utilities

ABSTRACT Water utilities provide water, sewerage and sanitation services. Yet, they have failed worldwide to provide safely managed water services to at least 2.2 billion people and safely managed sanitation services to between 3.5 and 4.4 billion. Following 70 years of experience in different modes of water services provision, this paper addresses the question: What lessons can be learnt from the scholarship on the policy and practice of water service provision, and how can these inform and be integrated into a justice framework? This paper examines the literature through the lens of Water System Justice, charting how an early stage of state water and sanitation provision gave way to an increase in private sector participation and eventually hybrid services provision. Neither the state, private nor hybrid models have been able to provide water and sanitation services to all. Combining a Water System Justice approach with a purpose-led market-shaping approach, we argue that the state must take responsibility for a purpose-based approach that puts the furthest behind first – in line with the Agenda 2030. This includes using water within water system boundaries (quantity) and standards (quality), through collaboration with other actors, using patient and local finance, contextual modular systems and ensuring accountability.