The need to reform water policies is as urgent as ever. Water is essential for economic
growth, human health, and the environment. Yet governments around the world face significant
challenges in managing their water resources effectively. The problems are multiple
and complex: billions of people are still without access to safe water and adequate
sanitation; competition for water is increasing among the different uses and users;
and major investment is required to maintain and improve water infrastructure in OECD
and non-OECD countries. Despite progress on many fronts, governments around the
world are still confronted with the need to reform their existing water policies in
order to meet current objectives and future challenges. Building on the water challenges
identified by the OECD Environment Outlook to 2050, this report examines three fundamental
areas that need to be addressed whatever reform agendas are pursued by governments:
financing of the water sector; the governance and institutional arrangements that
are in place; and coherence between water policies and policies in place in other
sectors of the economy. The report provides governments with practical advice and
policy tools to pursue urgent reform in their water sectors.