Abstract
Two questions inform this article. First, the question is examined whether a human rights approach (‘water as a human right’) and a commercial approach (‘water as an economic good and essential service’) can be reconciled. A second, and related, question is whether it really matters which approach is taken. An answer to this question will be sought by analysing whether the same or similar guarantees are being offered, in particular in the context of liberalisation and/or privatisation of drinking water services and the disconnection from water services. Also, the environmental dimension will be scrutinised. After examining similarities and parallels in both approaches, and the level of protection offered, it is concluded that it does make a difference indeed whether water is considered as an essential service or as a human right. While both concepts act as a safeguard, human rights may prove to be the stronger one, at least as far as State actors are concerned.