6. Valuing water
Funding for water and sanitation has been beset by problems for many years, partly because many governments have built political support by subsidising the true cost of water supplies (e.g., irrigation has been heavily subsidised in India).
Furthermore, the broad cross-sectoral nature of water supply complicates the issue and perpetuates a situation in which water services are priced below economic levels and the sector remains chronically under-financed. However, with good governance, financially viable water undertakings are in evidence in parts of the world, and these are attracting additional finance from sources other than government and donors.