SDG Detail

LAW 2508: The Business of Water

Postgraduate course

Project description

The Business of Water (2508): One of the fastest growing global economic sectors is water, and private water companies are playing an increasingly important role around the world in water management. This growing private involvement has sometimes clashed with the inherently public nature of water and generated controversies. In many cases, private companies have made important contributions to meeting water needs (e.g., in the development of new technologies and expanding water supplies). In other cases, however, the involvement of private companies has proven contentious (e.g., when private companies have taken over public water supply systems in developing countries such as Bolivia). This course will look at established or emerging water businesses and the legal, economic, and social issues that they generate. These businesses include investor-owned water utilities, water technology companies (e.g., companies investing in new desalination or water recycling technologies), water-right funds (who directly buy and sell water rights), social impact funds, innovative agricultural operations, infrastructure companies, and financial investors. The class will begin with two introductory classes. After that, each week will focus on a different business or sector. Company executives will attend these class session and discuss their business with the class. In most classes, we will examine (1) the viability and efficacy of the company's business plan, (2) the legal and/or social issues arising from the business' work, and (3) how the business might contribute to improved water management and policy. Each student will be expected to write (1) two short reflection papers during the course of the quarter on businesses that present to the class, and (2) a 10- to15-page paper at the conclusion on the class on a water company of the student's choice (including a potential company that the student might propose creating), a water sector, or a policy initiative that can improve the role that business plays in improving water management (either in a particular sector or more generally).