Agrion

Water Privatization and Public-Private Partnerships

Thursday, May 5, 2011, 8:30am San Francisco / 11:30am New York / 5:30pm Paris and Frankfurt

Smart Cities & Transportation | Water Management

PROGRAM:

Private sector participation in the ownership and/or provision of water resources and services is a potential solution to mounting water constraints and conflicts on the global stage. However, the privatization of goods and services which previously existed exclusively in a public capacity hosts a variety of challenges and uncertainties. Do corporations have the capacity and financial backing to solve the global water dilemma, especially considering the high cost of infrastructure? Given the advantages of shared risk, rewards, and resources, are Public-Private Partnerships the middle ground in the public-private water debate?

In this online meeting, we identify critical characteristics of a successful public-to-private transition, clarify different partnership structures and variations of private participation in the water industry, and analyze the potential benefit to both producers and consumers in a privatized water world.

A Privatized Water World

In what areas of water distribution and management is private involvement most needed/most advantageous: the improvement of the quality and reliability of a community’s water or wastewater system and service, improvements to infrastructure and treatment plants, investments in new pipelines?
What are examples of water privatization and pricing models, joint-ownership, and etc.
In countries that have adopted a privatized water model, what have been the results? Does/will the privatization of water thwart the overuse of water in developed countries?
Does the private water market allow for healthy competition, and at what stage (bidding, etc.)?
A debate on the privatization of water resources vs. privatization of water services (example of Sitka, Alaska)?
What will trade agreements and loan conditions look like under a commoditized structure?
If a capitalistic water market prevails at the national or global level, who will be the key water “owners”?

The Role of Public- Private Partnerships (PPPs)

What are the PPP options currently available (lease & operate, design/build/operate, contract operations and financing, etc.); advantages/challenges?
What conditions (political, social, economic or otherwise) should be examined before entering into PPPs? How can one identify lucrative PPP opportunities?
What impacts on the water industry today do PPPs incur?
How do PPPs lead to improved compliance with government policies?
In the US: the impact of state and federal incentives and policies on water privatization and PPPs.
The regulatory environment in Europe.
Water policies and the role of PPPs in the developing world.

SPEAKERS:

American Water, Mark Strauss, Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Business Development (US)

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Celine Kauffman, Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, OECD Investment Division (France)

Meet the Panel

To see the Guest List, please log-in and view below.

For more information, please contact: