MANAGING WATER SERVICES: THE BATTLE BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS

Ano: 2013 | Volume: 3 | Número: 2

Autores: Claudia Rosa Acevedo, José Luis Hermosilla

Palavras-chave: commercialization of water, power of the multinationals

Resumo Inglês:

The purpose of this study is to examine the commercialization of water and the arguments it is
based on. More specifically this investigation seeks to answer the following questions: Are there
economic interests behind this discourse? How is the market of water being structured? The method
of research utilized was based on documents and bibliographies. The principal results of the survey
were: 1) the process of commercialization of water is based on the following principles: the
economic value of water b) the effectiveness of the marketing mechanism to optimize the
distribution and efficient use of water; c) the superiority of private investment over the public
investment as a motor of economic and social development; d) the necessity of liberalization of
national markets; e) water as a necessity and not as a right; 2) specialists in the area believe that
strong interests exist behind the commercialization of this asset, especially on the part of
transnational companies and international financial institutions. 3) the results of these privatizations
have been very negative for the societies where they have taken place.