SCIENCES DE LA SOCIÉTÉ - N° 64 - février 2005
Civil society and water commercialization
Edited by Catherine BARON

Catherine BARON, Pierre BAUBY, Water figures  [Text in french]
Philippe HUGON, Is water a private or a public asset ?
Jean-Paul HAGUE, The beginning of water commercialization in nineteeth century France : the stakes and the participants
Hubert BONIN, Le modèle français du capitalisme de l'eau dans la compétition européenne et mondiale depuis les années 1990s
Christelle PEZON, From the appearance to the generalization of a market model for drinking water management in France (1850-2000)
David-Nicolas LAMOTHE, Legal frameworks for the participation of the private sector in the management of water utilities in the European Union
Sylvie CLARIMONT, Water, the marketplace and citizen action : the Spanish association « New water culture » faced with the issue of resource commercialization
Lise BREUIL, Which governance models for the management of water services in developing countries ? The users involvement in innovative partnerships
Catherine BARON, Anne ISLA, Modes of access to drinking water in Sub-Saharan African cities : between equity and efficiency
Marie LLORENTE, Marie-Hélène ZÉRAH, Water stakes in India : about complex allocative and redistributive effects between users and territories
Stéphane GHIOTTI, Who takes advantage of participation ? Water policy reform in Lebanon
Graciela SCHNEIER-MADANES, Water governance : the appearance of the users. Buenos Aires water concession

NOTES DE LECTURE

 
Philippe HUGON, Is water a private or public asset ? 

Abstract
Drinking water has several dimensions: economic in its management cost due to important logistics and its scarcity; environmental in relation to its renewal and ground water pollution; and social as an asset corresponding to a vital need. It has a collective dimension and constitutes a common and public asset. This article reviews theoretical issues about the status of water before studying current proposals for the reform of its production, management and financing.

Key words : common assets, public assets, rights, efficiency, equity, governance, inherited commodity, regulation, public services.

 
Jean-Paul HAGUE, The beginning of water commercialization in nineteenth century France : the stakes and the participants

Abstract
The process of water commercialization started with the French Revolution. At that time procuring water for agriculture was the main concern. The Civil Code associated water ownership with the land. Between 1840 and 1860 the State introduced a functional division of running water for productive purposes which enabled it to fall in line with the market. The useful effects of water were rationalised and organised into institutionalised and separate branches. As from 1880, the development of hydroelectricity increased the stakes in the allocation of this resource as did the commercialization of the water service when large networks were set up for irrigation and urban use.

Keywords : water, commercialization, stakes, appropriation, history.

 
Hubert BONIN, The French model of capitalism in the water sector faced with European and world competition from the 1990s

Abstract
French private water companies gained a diversified capital of skills from the second half of the 19th century. The trend towards urbanisation, then the upsurge of emerging countries in central and eastern Europe and in the developing world opened large windows of opportunities for the system of water network management outsourced to private actors. But this expansion is held back by debates about the legitimacy of this transfer and the cost of water.

Keywords : water, management through concessions, development, outsourcing, services capitalism, urbanisation.

 
Christelle PEZON, From the appearance to the generalization of a market model for drinking water management in France (1850-2000)

Abstract
In France, drinking water services are nowadays profitable. It has not always been the case. Two models of management have coexisted for more than a century. The first one (profitable management) was dominant until the beginning of the XXth century. Then the second one (non profitable management) took the leadership and lost it thirty years ago. This article aims at presenting the history of the profitable model, and making the successive water management changes since the mid XIXth intelligible.

Keywords : drinking water services, profitable management, non profitable management, water supply history, local authorities' strategy.

 
David-Nicolas LAMOTHE, Legal frameworks for the participation of the private sector in the management of water utilities in the European Union

Abstract
How are water utilities managed throughout Europe and what is the role of private operators? It is impossible to give a simple and firm answer to this question: although common points exist, each country has developed a specific management pattern. In spite of this variety, fundamental debates cross the whole of Europe, focusing on the scope to be granted to the private sector, on the use of performance indicators, on the need for regulation and transparency Based on the outcome of a European research project, this article proposes a panorama of the legal framework and an inventory of the current debates on these issues.

Keywords : water utilities, public-private partnerships, private operators, legal framework, regulation.

 
Sylvie CLARIMONT, Water, the marketplace and citizen action : the Spanish association « New water culture » faced with the issue of resource commercialization

Abstract
In Spain more than in France, the state plays an important role in water policy. Public water management is based on river basin institutions set up by decree in Spain in 1926 and confirmed by the 1985 water law. Public water administration lies within the competence of the State and local authorities. Nevertheless, a change of strategy can be perceived in the trend towards commercialization of the resource. The citizen movement New water culture, which seems opposed to privatization of water management, shows in fact a somewhat ambiguous position towards this problem.

Keywords : hydraulic policy, market, citizen movements, controversy, Spain.

 
Lise BREUIL, Which governance models for the management of water services in developing countries ? The users involvement in innovative partnerships

Abstract
This paper proposes a theoretical framework for analysing two innovative partnerships implemented in two concession contracts of Latin America, where user participation enables the provision of water to poor neighbourhoods. This framework is based on a three-dimensional analysis of governance issues for services in developing countries, and it insists on the interaction between three aspects: contractual (incentives and control), institutional (monitoring of the contract) and social (role of users). The new share of responsibilities between all stakeholders brings about more flexibility and a more acceptable share of risks.

Keywords : water services, developing countries, governance, public-private partnership, organisational theories.

 
Catherine BARON, Anne ISLA, Modes of access to drinking water in Sub-Saharan African cities : between equity and efficiency

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to analyse the access to water supply, not only from the mode of access point of view, but also from the perspective of underlying value systems. We hence define four models depending on how objectives are ranked. From a historical perspective we are able to distinguish numerous governance schemes. We assume that they stand for different modes of coordination between those involved, in which there is a pre-agreed resource definition. We show that these models lead to different modes of water access which fluctuate between efficiency and equity. Despite the limits of the different models we analyse, from both a theoretical and an applied point of view, our investigation shows that the principle of efficiency always dominates the principle of equity in the market evaluation model whatever the effort to link these two principles may be.

Keywords : water supply, governance, public-private partnership, civil society, water services, Sub-Saharan African Cities, commodity heritage, equity-efficiency.

 
Marie LLORENTE, Marie-Hélène ZÉRAH, Water stakes in India : about complex allocative and redistributive effects between users and territories

Abstract
For the past few years, water has been an integral part of the debate on globalisation. Two views confront each other, one which considers water as an economic commodity and the other which considers it as a common heritage of mankind. These two poles do not render the complexity of challenges regarding water, such as its distribution, its uses, its protection or its access. Our aim is to throw some light on this debate and to go one step further. This is carried out through the analysis of questions related to resource appropriation, among them access problems. Our argument is based on examples from India, a privileged field of observation for changes concerning both water resources and water services.

Keywords : water resources, water supply and sanitation, India, commodification, institutions.

 
Stéphane GHIOTTI, Who takes advantage of participation ? Water policy reform in Lebanon

Abstract
This text analyses water policy transformations in Lebanon. The reform is based on the implementation of integrated water resources management with the assistance of the World Bank. The application of this approach is faced with many difficulties. Indeed, institutional and political conflicts for water control transform stakeholders involvement and river basin management into territorial stakes of primary importance.

Keywords : water policy reform, participation, river basin management, territorial stakes, Lebanon.

 
Graciela SCHNEIER-MADANES, Water governance : the appearance of the users. Buenos Aires water concession

Abstract
The water and sewerage concession of Buenos Aires granted, in 1993, to an international consortium led by Suez-Lyonnaise des Eaux had significant follow-ups in terms of civil society organizations (users' and consumers' associations, residents' involvement, ngo). This paper examines technical conflicts raised by the implementation of the concession (network building, rates, water tables).The paper is based on the assumption that major changes affecting water supply have a social impact and may transform not only the daily life of consumers but also their relations with public institutions, their idea of public service and, more broadly, water and the city.

Keywords : water and sewerage concession, privatisation, water networks, public utility, civil society, governance, Buenos Aires.