Topic Guide: Corruption in Water and Sanitation Sector

Meaningful citizens’ participation in water governance can increase accountability and transparency and contribute to building trust and confidence. Communities can be involved at all stages of the process, from water budgeting and policy development to the selection of sites for developing water infrastructure and the management of water schemes in a way that ensures equitable access to water for all. Citizens can also contribute to water pollution mapping and performance monitoring of water utilities,[1] which has been proven successful in many places but also faces pushback by lawmakers.[2]

Project budgets can be open to scrutiny, and water users can participate in decision making through public hearings involving citizens, regulators and water sector officials, social budgeting and social auditing. In Peru, for example, the management of large-scale irrigation systems was transferred to water users’ associations, resulting in improved financial and water delivery performance.[3]