"Walking on the tightrope"-can water TNC tackle drinking water crisis in developing countries?

Abstract

Water has an indispensable significance for human life and public health. Government has the obligation to protect and improve access to safe water. However, because of mismanagement, ever-tightening financial budget as well as the pressure from International financial organizations, developing countries began to permit the private participation in the previously state-controlled water sector. Although there is growing evidence that the water privatization did not reach its original goal of tackling water crises in developing countries, recent experiences have proved that China is focusing on the role of market functions in drinking water pollution and encouraging the involvement of water TNCs in its water services reform.