The neoliberalist ascendancy has helped bring about sweeping changes to the way in which we perceive and manage key environmental resources. Using the water industry to illustrate some of the tensions involved, this article examines the trend toward reducing state subsidies and devising systems for full cost recovery in the provision of water and sewerage services. Drawing on evidence from Australia, previous patterns of cross-subsidy are examined, while a more detailed case study of Adelaide in South Australia adds more details on the new management possibilities afforded by the trend toward privatization.
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