Suchergebnisse

We discuss the water remunicipalization process in the city of Valladolid (Spain), focusing specifically on its public financing model. Valladolid water remunicipalization has been a politically driven process, but implemented and managed in a technical way, through a public 100% municipality-owned company. As we show, it does not require the additional participation of financial intermediaries, public or private. The Valladolid remunicipalization process has been largely successful, with efficient financial and technical management, including some equity and environmental considerations, although it is not free from financial challenges that could cause it to totter in the future.

AbstractAsset management plans were prepared in 1989 and 1994 by water companies in England and Wales for submission to the Office of Water Services. These plans constituted the financial programming required by water companies to meet specified standards of service, particularly with respect to water quality. Detailed studies have previously established that problems associated with iron from unlined ferrous mains, particularly in soft water areas, is often the main cost 'driver'for water distribution investment. However, many of the so‐called unlined iron mains were treated with a coal‐tar pitch lining for corrosion protection before installation, and residues of this painted lining can give rise to unsatisfactory levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in drinking water.The paper describes how desk‐study research, followed by the development and application of a modified 'focused downstream series sampling'water‐quality modelling technique allowed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to be accounted for in two water company asset management plan submissions. The paper also raises a number of fundamental implications with respect to the occurrence of these carcinogenic compounds in drinking water.

Whereas a large number of empirical studies have been devoted to analyzing determinants of environmental compliance (EC) by firms, less attention has been paid to EC by public water systems (PWS). To address this gap in the literature, this article uses data on compliance with maximum contaminant levels (MCL) under the Safe Drinking Water Act for 971 PWS in Arizona and identifies the characteristics of PWS that are associated with violation of MCL standards. Three main findings emerge from the analysis. First, larger PWS are more likely to violate MCL standards than smaller PWS. Second, publicly owned PWS have slightly higher probability of violating MCL standards than privately owned systems. Finally, PWS serving residential areas are more likely to violate MCL standards, as opposed to PWS serving school districts or office buildings. The results suggest that for ensuring safe water for people, effectiveness of monitoring policy, and an efficient utilization of resources, the environmental agencies may focus their monitoring and enforcement efforts on these water systems.(JEL K32, Q53)