Water Management and Investment in the New Independent States
By: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Published: 2001
Place of publication: Paris
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] /
Number of pages: 144
ISBN-13: 9789264193253
Subjects: Ecology; Euthenics; Nature and nurture; Adaptation (Biology); Finance and Investment
Description: In the former Soviet Union, extensive networks were constructed to supply urban populations with clean, safe water. However, the networks were not well designed and this resulted in low quality water services and high operation and maintenance costs. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the condition of water infrastructure deteriorated more dramatically following sharp decreases in public budgets and the continued tradition of providing water services virtually free of charge. Without urgent action, the quality of services will continue to worsen and, in some of the New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union, may even collapse, with serious consequences for human health and economic activity. This volume analyses the causes underlying this dire situation and presents recommendations for addressing it which were adopted at a meeting of Economic/Finance and Environment Ministers held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in October 2000. The meeting was organized within the framework of the EAP Task Force, with its Secretariat at OECD, and involved key stakeholders from the governmental and non-governmental sectors. The EAP Task Force will implement a focused programme of work guided by the main recommendations agreed by participants.
Table of contents: title: List of Abbreviations and Country Groups; title: Introduction; title: Chapter 1. Joint Conclusions of Almaty Ministerial Consultation; title: Chapter 2. Background Paper on Valuing Environmental Benefits and Damages in the NIS: Opportunities to Integrate Environmental Concerns into Policy and Investment Decisions; title: Chapter 3. Background Paper on Financing Strategies for the Urban Water Sector in the NIS; title: Chapter 4. Background Paper on Reform of Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Services; title: Chapter 5. Private Sector Participation in Urban Water Supply and Wastewater Financing and Management: An Opportunity for Increased Financing and Improved Efficiency; title: Chapter 6. Water Supply and Sanitation: The Private Sector's View on Risks and Opportunities; title: Chapter 7. Position Paper of the Non-Governmental Organisations on the Main Discussion Issues of the Almaty Ministerial Consultations