America's Water and Wastewater Crisis: The Role of Private Enterprise

by Lewis D. Solomon

Overview

This book examines the role of private firms in the American water and wastewater industry. As more water infrastructure shifts from public- to private-sector control, vendors, consultants, and facilities are taking on more importance. Lewis D. Solomon presents an historical overview of water supply and treatment needs and the role of the government, including how water policy has been crafted. He argues that water scarcity is becoming a problem due to groundwater depletion, contamination, and patterns of consumption. He examines the impact of climate change on water availability and quality considering voluntary conservation programs and mandatory restrictions for water use.

Solomon points to how for-profit firms can use technology to increase water supply. He describes what privatization would look like in practice and reviews evidence from two case studies. Solomon proposes privatization as a viable response to America's water crisis that can address both scarcity and capital problems.

America's Water and Wastewater Crisis presents a careful examination of how the water industry has operated in the United States in the past and how it may work as we move into the future. This book is invaluable to environmental specialists, businessmen, and government officials.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412818230
Publisher:	Transaction Publishers
Publication date:	08/15/2011
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Lewis D. Solomon is Van Vleck Research Professor of Law at George Washington University Law School. A prolific author on legal, business, public policy, and religious topics, he has written widely in areas of social and scientific policy that deal with legal issues. His books include From Athens to America: Virtue and the Formulation of Public Policy; Tech Billionaires: Reshaping Philanthropy in a Quest for a Better World; and Financial Security and Personal Wealth. He is an ordained rabbi and interfaith minister.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 1

Part I. Historical Overview
2. The Development, Ownership, Federal Funding
and Regulation of Water and Wastewater Systems
in the United States: A Historical Overview

Part II. Water Scarcity
3. Water Scarcity in the United States, Climate
Change, and Public Sector Conservation Efforts
4. Technology Commercialization by the Private
Sector Increases Water Supplies and Facilitates
Conservation

Part III. Infrastructure Privatization, Comparative
Background, and Privatization Incentives
5. Modes of Privatization, Comparative Background,
and Privatization Incentives
6. Privatization of Water Supply and Wastewater
Treatment Infrastructure: A Conceptual Analysis
7. Privatization in Practice: Evidence from
Empirical Studies
America's Water and Wastewater Crisis
8. Privatization in Practice: Evidence from
Two Case Studies
9. Conclusion: The Role of Private Enterprise in
Meeting America's Water Supply and
Wastewater Treatment Crisis
Index

Editorial Reviews

Water is essential to human survival, yet most of us do not often think about the water we use. Water is perceived as a free public service rather than as a valuable commodity. In this distinctive book, Solomon (Van Vleck Research Professor of Law, George Washington Univ. Law Sch.) discusses the historical development and regulation of U.S. water resources and provides a comprehensive overview of current challenges, such as aging water infrastructures, conservation efforts, dwindling natural supplies, population growth, funding, security, technological advances, and wastewater treatment. Case studies of such cities as Atlanta and Indianapolis are provided. Solomon identifies future trends like project privatizations and increases in partnerships between private and public organizations and offers advice about how to fine-tune these partnerships so they are win-win situations. VERDICT Because the information here may be hard to find quickly by other means, the book will most benefit urban planners and policymakers. The content is illuminating and will appeal to readers with an interest in civic affairs.—Caroline Geck, MLS, Newark, NJ

Library Journal

"There are two very useful aspects of the book: first, the presentation of examples of research and development of new water-saving technologies that show the innovation potential of the private sector; and second, the case studies of privatization of the public water supply in Atlanta and Indianapolis, which illustrate some basic principles of the privatization process. This book may serve as a reference for nonexperts who wish to understand the general issues in this industry… Recommended." —A. M. Chaudhry, CHOICE “In this distinctive book . . . [Lewis D. Solomon] discusses the historical development and regulation of U.S. water resources and provides a comprehensive overview of current challenges, such as aging water infrastructures, conservation efforts, dwindling natural supplies, population growth, funding, security, technological advances, and wastewater treatment. Case studies of such cities as Atlanta and Indianapolis are provided. Solomon identifies future trends like project privatizations and increases in partnerships between private and public organizations and offers advice about how to fine-tune these partnerships so they are win-win situations … Because the information here may be hard to find quickly by other means, the book will most benefit urban planners and policymakers. The content is illuminating and will appeal to readers with an interest in civic affairs.” —Caroline Geck, MLS, Library Journal

From the Publisher