Event Title
Public-private partnerships (P3): an assessment of the associated risks and benefits with application to the Greater Victoria Drinking Water Supply System (GVDWSS)
Description
Public-private partnerships (P3) typically involve the transfer of ownership and/or management of services from the public to the private sector. Given the mixed outcomes of P3s in the past, and the necessity of water for life, it is critical to perform a risk-benefit analysis for every water system before committing to a P3 for its management and/or operation. Since Terasen Inc.'s take-over of the City of Langford's sewage system, in 2004, there has been concern that the same company may persuade the Victoria Capital Region to cede control of Langford's water distribution system. This paper attempts to offer insight into whether a P3 may be adverse or beneficial to the Greater Victoria Drinking Water Supply System (GVDWSS) and the population it serves. Based on an assessment of past water sector's transformations from public to private operation and information gathered about the current operations of the GVDWSS, it is concluded that a P3 would produce more risks than benefits.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2008 8:00 AM
Subject - LCSH
Water supply--Management; Water utilities--British Columbia--Victoria;
End Date
8-3-2008 5:00 PM
Session
Geographies of Health and Well-Being
Genre/Form
abstracts (summaries)
Type
event
Geographic Coverage
Victoria (B.C.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Keywords
water management, water supply, public-private partnership, privatization, Greater Victoria
Public-private partnerships (P3): an assessment of the associated risks and benefits with application to the Greater Victoria Drinking Water Supply System (GVDWSS)
Public-private partnerships (P3) typically involve the transfer of ownership and/or management of services from the public to the private sector. Given the mixed outcomes of P3s in the past, and the necessity of water for life, it is critical to perform a risk-benefit analysis for every water system before committing to a P3 for its management and/or operation. Since Terasen Inc.'s take-over of the City of Langford's sewage system, in 2004, there has been concern that the same company may persuade the Victoria Capital Region to cede control of Langford's water distribution system. This paper attempts to offer insight into whether a P3 may be adverse or beneficial to the Greater Victoria Drinking Water Supply System (GVDWSS) and the population it serves. Based on an assessment of past water sector's transformations from public to private operation and information gathered about the current operations of the GVDWSS, it is concluded that a P3 would produce more risks than benefits.