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AquaFed at the World Water Forum: Bridging the real water divide between haves and have-nots
The Istanbul World Water Forum is a unique opportunity to take the decisions necessary to bridge the divide between the billions that have no access to public water services and the others.
Country governments are meeting in Istanbul to discuss water challenges. As instruments of public water policies, Private Water Operators experience these increasing challenges in the field in both developed and in developing countries. They feel that this Forum is a rare opportunity to make decisions that are badly needed to solve growing water challenges.
Gérard Payen; President of AquaFed, says: "An acceleration of the public programs that develop
access to safe water, hygienic toilets and waste water management is urgent in many countries."
A more realistic approach to the economics of water services is required. The challenge is to ensure viable operations and at the same time make sure that prices are affordable. Sustainable Cost- Recovery is a new concept that mixes user payments (Tariffs) with subsidies from public budgets (Taxes). The objective is to ensure that user payments are affordable for each category of users and that predictable public subsidies support the service operator if necessary. Better understanding and use of Sustainable Cost Recovery will facilitate projects that aim at expanding access to safe water and sanitation.
The magnitude of water-related challenges makes it essential for all stakeholders to be mobilised. The recurrent polemics that try to oppose public and private operators simply slow progress. They are artificial and unhelpful.
AquaFed is the International Federation of Private Water Operators. Open to companies and associations of companies of all sizes and from all countries, it aims to contribute to solving water challenges by making Private Sector know-how and experience available to the international community. It brings together more than 300 water companies that serve hundreds of millions of people in 40 countries.
| Contact information |
Ms. Fatma KIZILBOGA – AquaFed Press Officer / Mr. Thomas VAN WAEYENBERGE: AquaFed Communications Manager
(email: fkizilboga@gmail.com ; Thomas@aquafed.org) Phone: +90 0539 280 27 32 / +90 0535 360 14 22 / +32 479 23 78 26 |
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| News type | Inbrief |
| File link |
http://www.emwis.net/documents/meetings/events/selected-events-5th-world-water-forum-istanbul-36778/aquafed-world-water-forum-bridging-real-water/ |
| File link local |
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| Source of information | AquaFed - The International Federation of Private Water Operators. |
| Subject(s) | DRINKING WATER , DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION : COMMON PROCESSES OF PURIFICATION AND TREATMENT , FINANCE-ECONOMY , HEALTH - HYGIENE - PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISM , POLICY-WATER POLICY AND WATER MANAGEMENT |
| Relation | http://www.worldwaterforum5.org/ |
| Geographical coverage | International |
| News date | 24/03/2009 |
| Working language(s) | ENGLISH |
