Investment in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: An Environmental Justice Challenge, a Governance Solution

Natural Resources & Environment, p. 3, Winter 2010

6 Pages Posted: 7 Mar 2010

See all articles by Alexandra Dapolito Dunn

Alexandra Dapolito Dunn

American University Washington College of Law; Catholic University of America (CUA) - Columbus School of Law; Advisor, Environmental Law Society

Erin Derrington

Pace University - School of Law

Date Written: Winter 2010

Abstract

This article evaluates the impact of the growing presence of privatized water and wastewater infrastructure projects in some of the world’s most populous countries: China, India, the United States, Brazil, and Nigeria. Together, these nations account for nearly 50 percent of the world’s population. The article discusses environmental justice issues associated with contaminated drinking water and insufficient sanitation and explores the role that public versus private ownership of water infrastructure plays in ensuring access to clean water for the lower-income echelons of society. It articulates the importance of the rule of law and sound environmental governance in this arena and emphasizes the role of the legal community in addressing these challenges. Although water and wastewater infrastructure privatization is a legitimate response to the costs and challenges of water treatment and distribution, environmental decision makers have an ethical and moral duty to ensure that all people have access to reliable and affordable drinking water and sanitation. As such, these authors propose solutions for bringing justice factors meaningfully into the planning, construction, and operation of water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Suggested Citation

Dunn, Alexandra Dapolito and Derrington, Erin, Investment in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: An Environmental Justice Challenge, a Governance Solution (Winter 2010). Natural Resources & Environment, p. 3, Winter 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1565720

Alexandra Dapolito Dunn (Contact Author)

American University Washington College of Law ( email )

4300 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States

Catholic University of America (CUA) - Columbus School of Law ( email )

3600 John McCormack Rd., NE
Washington, DC 20064
United States

Advisor, Environmental Law Society ( email )

3600 John McCormack Rd., NE
Washington, DC 20064
United States

Erin Derrington

Pace University - School of Law ( email )

78 North Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
United States

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