We will analyse the effective role that users play in regulating these groups at local level as well as the political-territorial implications of this type of management. After providing a clear overview of the systems that have emerged and their modus operandi, we will describe and assess them from a critical technical/economic perspective in order to suggest possible improvements.

More generally, our research is part of a broader attempt to study the different ways of providing access to urban water and the legitimacy of local communities in taking the process in hand. We wish to contribute to the debate that focuses on providing a differentiated service to the inhabitants of the same city.