Water regulation in Europe - only for idealists?

Water is a scarce resource in Europe. However,
scarcity differs from the North to the South. In
different member states of the European Union, under
different water management regimes the final price of
water reflects diverging approaches to water supply.
Water being a scarce resource and water supply being
characterized as a natural monopoly with large scale
economies, whether consumers are given the choice to
choose from readily available offers largely depends
on under what conditions competitors can access the
incumbent operators grid. Competitive prices can
only be offered to end users if the conditions are
given to the alternative service providers new
entrants - to efficiently deliver services. Still, a
lot will depend on enforcement.
In the UK, in Hungary and in the EU different regimes
are in place. However, the target is the same: low
prices, consumer choices and efficient use of
resources. Is this possible? What is the tool to
achieve this? How can law and economics be
supportive? Is there an access pricing regime that
applies to all as in telecommunications? This is
piece aims to find the answer.

Autorentext
Pal Belenyesi holds a law degree from the University of Debrecen, Hungary, with international law specialisation from the University of Antwerp. He completed his LL.M. at the European University Institute, in Florence. He worked for the European Commission and various national authorities, and specializes in competition and regulation.

Klappentext
Water is a scarce resource in Europe. However,scarcity differs from the North to the South. Indifferent member states of the European Union, underdifferent water management regimes the final price ofwater reflects diverging approaches to water supply.Water being a scarce resource and water supply beingcharacterized as a natural monopoly with large scaleeconomies, whether consumers are given the choice tochoose from readily available offers largely dependson under what conditions competitors can access theincumbent operators' grid. Competitive prices canonly be offered to end users if the conditions aregiven to the alternative service providers - newentrants - to efficiently deliver services. Still, alot will depend on enforcement. In the UK, in Hungary and in the EU different regimesare in place. However, the target is the same: lowprices, consumer choices and efficient use ofresources. Is this possible? What is the tool toachieve this? How can law and economics besupportive? Is there an access pricing regime thatapplies to all - as in telecommunications? This ispiece aims to find the answer.