The theme of private sector participation in the delivery of urban services is a major focus of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and an important element of ADB's policies, technical assistance, and regional activities. Many of the themes tackled within the papers in this publication (presented at the Seminar on Build-Operate-Transfer in the Water Supply Sector held in Beijing, October 1996) offer insights and lessons learned that can be applied to other developing member countries of ADB in the region. Published in 1999, this publication defines the unique characteristics of build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangements in the water supply sector and how current conditions in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) might affect the structuring of projects. These characteristics pose a wide range of controllable and uncontrollable risks that need to be addressed in properly structuring a water supply BOT. Key risks are enumerated in the publication, which also proposes a risk management plan and describes tactics and tools that various role players in the BOT arrangement can use to mitigate these risks. Finally, conclusions are drawn pertaining to financial and institutional issues that, if not resolved, will likely limit the potential contribution that BOT can make to addressing problems. This publication is highly recommended for those involved in the delivery of water supply, and particularly for those with an interest in innovative public-private partnerships.

Keywords
Urban water supply, water conservation, water sustainability, private sector participation, private water suppliers, private water distribution

Topic: Urban Development and Housing; Water

Publication Date: January 1999

ISBN: 9715611184