Urban water conflicts: an analysis of the origins and nature of water-related unrest and conflicts in the urban context

This document is a collection of essays which survey the controversial aspects of the management of water resources in urban areas in view of the increasing urbanisation and privatisation of water services. It addresses and characterises the conflicts that arise within large human settlements due to economic and social implications of access to and use of basic water services. It also presents in-depth case studies from Europe, Asia and Latin America.Exploring the geneses of the urban water conflicts the essays in the document list the following important causal factors:

quality/extension of drinking water services and their continuity
quality/extension of waste-water collection treatment
urban hydrology problems (storm water control)
impact of large cities upon their environment in particular water resources use and misuse
financing of investments issue
tariff setting and cost recovery
degrees of freedom left to the urban dwellers vis-à-vis service provider