Utilities’ Contribution to the Human Right to Water and Sanitation: Importance of Stakeholders’ Ownership

Abstract

The comparative analysis of two successful experiences, that improved access to water and sanitation services for nearly 1.5 million people, allows us to highlight similarities and draw lessons. These experiences, taken from very different contexts, Port-au-Prince and Algiers, have succeeded in various issues. Both projects started by the completion of a sincere and shared initial diagnosis. They considered recognition of co-operation and dialogue between actors as keys for improvement and sustainability. They set up solutions that fitted the local context and available resources: focussing on the communities in Haiti, and on the utility in Algiers. Finally, they revealed that implementing the human right to water and sanitation requires a resilient governance model and ownership from all actors.