Sustainable water—lessons from the developing world

By comparing and contrasting the underlying principles of sustainable water management (SWM) in England and developing countries, this paper highlights the features and limitations of current water practices in achieving long-term sustainability in England. The over-reliance on formal and judiciary institutions fails to acknowledge the complex roles of agency and socially embedded institutions in shaping water-using norms and behaviour. The minimal level of community participation does not help in building trust among water users, regulators and suppliers. Decentralisation, in the form of privatisation, does not necessarily enhance water efficiency, and the universal application of water regulations may not fit into local conditions.