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State initiatives for regionalization
Author(s) -
Okun Daniel A.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1981.tb04697.x
Subject(s) - sovereignty , suspect , government (linguistics) , economies of scale , state (computer science) , position (finance) , business , scale (ratio) , local government , economic system , public administration , political science , economics , marketing , finance , geography , philosophy , linguistics , cartography , algorithm , politics , computer science , law
Regionalization of water management offers many advantages over the present highly fragmented organizational structure that characterizes the water industry in the United States. Economies and efficiencies of scale are particularly attractive. Local government is loath to initiate regional arrangements because of the threat to local sovereignty. Federal initiatives are suspect and generally successful only when accompanied by federal dollars, which may cost more than they are worth. Accordingly, state government may be in the best position to stimulate the creation of regional institutions. Examples of such initiatives, both successful and unsuccessful, are discussed.