Water Civilization: The Evolution of the Dutch Drinking Water Sector

David Zetland and Bene Colenbrander
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David Zetland: Leiden University College, Anna van Buerenplein 301, 2595 DG Den Haag, Netherlands
Bene Colenbrander: Leiden University College, Anna van Buerenplein 301, 2595 DG Den Haag, Netherlands

Water Economics and Policy (WEP), 2018, vol. 04, issue 03, 1-36

Abstract: Dutch drinking water companies now deliver safe affordable water to the entire population, but this result was not planned. It emerged, rather, from an evolutionary process in which various pressures on the commons resulted in changes to drinking water systems that addressed old concerns but uncovered new problems. Our analytical narrative traces this problem-solution-new problem pattern through four eras in which a common-pool dilemma is addressed by a private-good solution (1850–1880), a club-good solution (1880–1910) and a public-good solution (1910–1950) before returning to a private-good solution in the last 1950–1990 era. Actions, like the dates just given, were not always exact or effective, as the process was shaped by changing social norms regarding the distribution of costs and benefits from improved water services. This Dutch history is unique, but its insights can help improve drinking water services elsewhere.

Keywords: Drinking water; common-pool goods; institutions; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1142/S2382624X18500121

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