Water Service Delivery Reform in China: 

Safeguarding the Interests of the Poor

Denis Nitikin

Chunli Shen

(Janey) Qian Wang

and

Heng-fu Zou

China faces a water scarcity problem that is severe by international standards. Many factors, including rapid urbanization and environmental degradation etc, have been challenging the water service delivery in China. Since water scarcity and quality have impact on the poor, reforms to the water service provision can produce substantial improvements in the living standard of the economically disadvantaged groups. The objective of this study is to critically evaluate the strengths and weakness of China's current water financing and delivering system, with a focus on safeguarding the interests of the poor, and to offer insight into possible solutions.