A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Alternative Financing and Delivery of Water and Wastewater Services

Abstract

Too many drinking water and wastewater systems across Canada threaten public health and the environment. In this report, the author writes that many of the municipally owned and operated systems that treat and distribute drinking water perform poorly and lack the financial resources and expertise to meet the challenges posed by aging infrastructure. Indeed, more than 1,000 systems across Canada violate provincial requirements or are subject to boil-water advisories. Brubaker recommends reforms to the financing and operating of utilities to ensure their long-term sustainability. These include introducing competition for water and wastewater services and taking steps to attract more private expertise and capital investment.

Keywords: The Water Series, water and sewage services, Canadian municipalities, capital investment

JEL Classification: Q25, Q58, L95