Regional integration – a way forward for improved water and sanitation services in the Caribbean

Regional integration has been used with varying success to overcome disadvantages associated with small size. The fundamental premise for regional cooperation in the Caribbean has been the promotion of economic development particularly in the manufacturing and industrial sectors. The opportunity exists however, for use of a regional approach to develop strategic responses to other issues essential to sustainable development such as service delivery. Infrastructure, particularly water and sanitation, has a significant positive effect on regional socio-economic development. This capacity for development is however predetermined by investment and development policies and is limited by the financing capacity of governments. Fragmented spending on infrastructure may not be sustainable in the long-term and renewal of economic growth requires accompanying investment in infrastructure. The current trend of increased private sector involvement in water and sanitation provides an alternative to financing this sector, as well as the potential for better use of existing financing. Determinants for attracting private investment include market size and institutional capacity. Regional cooperation in water and sanitation services across the Caribbean is an option for achieving market power and realising socio-economic benefits of increased investment on a large-scale. An integrated approach to water and sanitation service delivery in the context of sustainable governance is essential to regional development in the Caribbean. This concept of a regional approach poses several challenges which include: (1) Determining an appropriate scale and geographical extent for regional cooperation; (2) Prioritising national agenda for water and sanitation services within a regional framework; (3) Determining the nature of private sector involvement within a regionally coordinated sector; (4) Cross-boundary regulation of a regional strategy to water and sanitation services.