Institutional diversity and safe drinking water provision in the United States. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dobbin, Kristin B.; Fencl, Amanda L.
• Is Part Of: Utilities policy. Volume 73(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Drinking water -- Water systems -- Water governance -- Utility ownership -- Safe drinking water act -- consolidation -- Institutional analysis -- California; Public utilities -- United States -- Periodicals; Public utilities -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; 363.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2021.101306
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-1787

Abstract

Abstract: In the United States, community water systems are not only numerous but also diverse. Nonetheless, operational scale and public versus private ownership have dominated the understanding of safe water access, leaving underexplored many other factors related to governance. Applying insights from the Institutional Analysis and Design literature, we create and analyze a dataset of California's water systems classified into 26 structural types associated with distinct governance institutions. We document differences in the number of Safe Drinking Water Act violations among these types and demonstrate their relevance for implementing solutions targeting non-compliance. Advancing equitable access necessitates greater attention to organizational structure and institutional diversity in drinking water provision. Highlights: California's community water systems span 26 different system types, with more diversity among small and governmental types. Accounting for organizational structure and institutional diversity improves statistical modeling of water system violations. Understanding how governance creates and perpetuates water injustice is a prerequisite for advancing equitable solutions.