Title: A Caribbean evaluation of public versus private drinking water provision: the case of St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

Authors: Marco A.C. Schouten, Damir Brdjanovic, Meine Pieter Van Dijk

Addresses: UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, PO Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, The Netherlands. ' UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, PO Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, The Netherlands. ' UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, PO Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, The Netherlands

Abstract: This article assesses how a small island state can choose the best option in the process of private sector involvement. It reviews the decision process to involve or not the private sector in water and sanitation supply and in which way. Nine criteria are used to make the choice. A careful weighing process is necessary, taking the history into account, looking at the special institutional situation in the country and involving the stakeholders, and even then there is no guarantee of success! An existing public utility may be better placed to look after the modernisation and extension of the water and sanitation system than a new private firm.

Keywords: private water supply; public water supply; drinking water; sanitation; Netherlands Antilles; competitive bidding; evaluation; private sector involvement; PSI; small islands; water services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2008.019497

International Journal of Water, 2008 Vol.4 No.3/4, pp.258 - 274

Published online: 14 Jul 2008 *

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