Public–private partnerships in the water reuse sector: a global assessment

Abstract

Unlike contracts involving water provision, involving the private sector in water reuse projects is not seen as politically contentious. Water reuse remains a small element of public–private partnership contracts in general, but their frequency of use has increased, notably since 2005. These contracts are typically awarded in middle-to-high-income countries, and there is a relation between contract awards and water stress. In terms of population served, 5% of contracts were awarded in areas without water stress and 77% in areas with high water stress.