Corruption in the water sector is a root cause and catalyst for the global water crisis that threatens billions of lives and exacerbates environmental degradation, according to the Global Corruption Report 2008 : Corruption in the Water Sector [1], released in New York on 25 June 2008 by Transparency International (TI).

When corruption occurs, the cost of connecting a household to a water network increases by up to 30 per cent, raising the price tag for achieving the Millennium Development Goals for water and sanitation by a staggering US$48 billion, according to expert estimates in the report. “Corruption’s impact on water is a fundamental governance problem, yet it is not sufficiently addressed in the many global policy initiatives for environmental sustainability, development, and food and energy security. This must change,” said Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International.

Key actions recommended by the experts to governments against corruption in the water sector include:

• Establish transparency and participation as guiding principles for all aspects of water governance.
• Strengthen regulatory oversight.
• Ensure fair competition and accountable implementation of water projects

[1] Global Corruption Report 2008: Corruption in the Water Sector

Contact:Transparency International, Dieter Zinnbauer, project manager, e-mail

Source: Transparency International, 25 Jun 2008

Tags: financing, governance, sanitation, water supply