Glossary

Regulatory systems are needed to monitor and enforce established laws, agreements, rules and standards (see also Water laws and legislation). These cover such matters as the administration of water rights and allocations; standards of service; water quality; environmental protection; and prices and tariffs charged by regulated utilities. In many countries the regulatory functions are inadequately performed and spread inconsistently between agencies; this is an increasingly serious deficiency where service delivery or operational functions are being decentralised or devolved to the private sector. Too often, regulatory bodies are established, but the resources, human and financial, are not made available to permit effectiveness. They need to be able to: develop data collection strategies; define regulatory policy and enforcement measures; define methodologies for monitoring; take effective action on breaches of standards; and act as arbitrator in conflicts of interest. Legislation is needed to ensure that regulations are co­ordinated and enforced.

Further information: Water Resources Management: A World Bank Policy Paper, World Bank, 1993.