Changes

Improving water and WASH governance requires improving integrity where specifically strengthening the aspects of transparency, accountability, and participation (TAP) is crucial. Massive investments and aid flowing into the water sector makes it highly vulnerable to corruption. Estimates by the World Bank suggest that 20–40 per cent percent of water sector finances are being lost to dishonest practices. Corruption comes in many different forms and the scope varies across water practices, governance structures and the perceptions and norms of actors involved. Typical examples of corruption include falsified meter readings, distorted site selection of projects, collusion and favouritism in public procurement, and nepotism in the allocation of public offices. In the water sector, observers’ estimate that 20 per cent to 70 per cent of resources could be saved if transparency were optimised and corruption eliminated (GCR 2008). The significant negative impacts of corruption on economic performance, growth and human development are treated as a tenet and control of corruption a core indicator for good governance. To know more about water, WASH, corruption and integrity, visit: www.waterintegrity.org