Taking Account of the Poor in Water Sector Regulation

This note seeks to assist policy makers and regulators in identifying what they can do to modify the existing regulatory framework or to implement it in a way that is particularly favorable to poor customers. It addresses the following questions: How can the pro-poor merits of an existing regulatory framework be assessed? How can regulatory constraints to expanding services to poor customers be identified? What can be done to alleviate regulatory constraints to pro-poor service? Is there scope for proactive pro-poor regulation, and if so, what does this consist of?

The note reviews the literature on the topic, develops case studies and formulates clear and targeted recommendations on how to implement pro-poor regulation of water and sanitation services in countries where a large proportion of the population still does not have access to utility services. It was published as Note No 11 of the World Bank Water Supply & Sanitation Working Notes.