In the context of the economies of the world becoming greener, this book provides a global and interdisciplinary overview of the condition of the world's water resources and the infrastructure used to manage it. It focuses on current social and economic costs of water provision, needs and opportunities for investment and for improving its management.

Part 1: Overview 1. Investing in Water Services Infrastructure Policies and Management Part 2: The Macro-Economic Case for Investment in Water 2. Charting our Water Future: Economic Frameworks to Inform Decision-Making 3. Making Water a Part of Economic Development: The Economic Benefits of Improved Water Management and Services 4. The Impacts of Climate Change and Trade Liberalization on Global Agriculture 5. Benefits and Costs of Investing in Ecosystems Services for Clean Water Supply and Flood Protection. Part 3: Policy Guidelines for Investment in Water 6. A Primer on Water Economics 7. A Primer on Water Financing 8. The Effectiveness of Alternative Water Governance Arrangements Part 4: Regional Experience 9. Challenging Hydrological Panaceas: Evidence from the Niger River Basin 10. Palyja "Water for All" Programs in Western Jakarta 11. Opportunities and Constraints to Development of Water Resources Infrastructure Investment in Sub-Saharan Africa 12. Free Basic Water - A Sustainable Instrument for a Sustainable Future in South Africa