A partnership model to deliver water and sanitation to the urban poor

More than one billion slum dwellers in developing country cities and surrounding peri-urban areas are disproportionately affected by non-existent or seriously inadequate water and sanitation services. In view of resource constraints faced by NGOs, and society’s rejection of the ‘development shortcut’ private sector participation, ailing public water authorities seem unlikely to be able to meet the Millennium Development Goals for urban water and sanitation. The WSUP alliance combines the strengths of its business, NGO and academic members to facilitate greater effectiveness in delivering water and sanitation services to poor urban communities in management partnerships with local service authorities. This paper introduces the WSUP approach and reflects on lessons from the first pilot projects.