Governance in Water Sector – Comparing development in Kenya, Nepal, South Africa and Finland

This study explores the long-term development of the relationships between water supply and sanitation, environmental health, and social change in a global context with a special focus on Kenya, Nepal, South Africa, and Finland. The general objective of the project was to enhance knowledge and understanding of the development of water use, water supply, water pollution control, and sanitation services, and their overall long-term political, economic, social, cultural, technological, environmental, and health impacts. The study aimed to explain the strategic decisions made over the years and to identify the key drivers –- strategies, principles, and practices – which have resulted in historically significant changes in public health and overall development of community water supply and sanitation services, their governance, social importance and impacts during two urbanization periods in Africa (Kenya, South Africa), Asia (Nepal) and Europe (Finland).