Reason Foundation

Recent Research and Commentary

New Deloitte Reports on Infrastructure Partnerships

February 18, 2010, 6:32pm

Leonard Gilroy

Deloitte has released two new reports on infrastructure public-private partnerships (PPPs) that are well worth a read.

Proposed City Water Grab Draining Scottsdale Tax Dollars

Unnecessary move bad for taxpayers

January 15, 2010

Leonard Gilroy

There's no compelling reason to spend tens of millions in tax dollars to take over a well-run private water facility serving a mere 2 percent of Scottsdale residents.

23 Firms Eyeing Indianapolis Superutility

October 6, 2009, 3:12pm

Leonard Gilroy

In big water privatization news, Indianapolis has received expressions of interest from nearly two dozen firms seeking to restructure the city's water and sewer systems into a massive, combined utility with a value that may top $3.5 billion.

Novato, CA Sanitary Board Privatizes Wastewater Treatment Plant

September 30, 2009, 5:50pm

Adam Summers

While privatization is often sought primarily to achieve cost savings, the Novato Sanitary deal illustrates other benefits of privatization. The arrangement will offer the district access to management expertise that might not be available in-house, and will transfer the risk of regulatory compliance from the district to the company.

Arizona Communities Preparing to Tap Private Sector for Major Water Project

August 13, 2009, 5:31pm

Leonard Gilroy

One of the more interesting recent projects on the water privatization front comes from central Arizona. Prescott and Prescott Valley are planning to tap the private sector to potentially finance, design, build and operate a $130 million water transmission project to enable these communities to accommodate future economic growth.

Efficient, Effective And Run Privately

August 7, 2009, 10:55am

Adrian Moore

The facts are that today, nearly 73 million Americans - one of every four people in this country - receive water service from a privately owned water utility or a municipal utility operating under a public-private partnership. Contracts for these partnerships average a 93% renewal rate. Furthermore, the private sector has consistently been at the forefront of the industry when it comes to capital investment in infrastructure and technology, management and innovation.

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