Benchmarking of water services - EU

http://www.epsu.org/a/10738 - In its response to our European Citizens’ Initiative, the European Commission stated that it would explore the possibility of promoting the benchmarking of water services (on quality and performance) as a way to increase transparency and information for final users.

On 9 September the Commission organized a stakeholder meeting in which we as ECI organizers have been invited to explain our ideas and demands. We criticized the Commission’s response to our ECI as unsatisfactory and expressed our hope for a different approach to water; as a human right and public good, and away from the ‘market logics’ that do not apply to a ‘natural monopoly’. Our position is that Benchmarking should be promoted especially as an instrument whereby stronger operators help weaker ones to achieve better performances. It is a means for cooperation and not for competition.

Advice from EPSU