The BLUE TALK with Blue Community Ambassador David McDonald, Professor of Global Development Studies at Queen’s University, Canada, and Director of the Municipal Services Project, a global research network that explores progressive forms of public services with a focus on equity, sustainability and democratic engagement is now online (see here down). The interview was done on Thursday, 27 November, 2025.
David McDonald also just published an article in the Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society: Making water ‘public’ in Bordeaux.
Automated meeting summary by Zoom:
Quick recap
David McDonald, a professor at Queen’s University and director of the Municipal Services Project, discussed the challenges and benefits of public versus private management of water services, emphasizing the importance of public ownership and democratic control. He outlined a framework for evaluating public services and shared insights from comparative analysis across different locations, noting that while there is no perfect model, valuable lessons can be learned from various approaches. The conversation explored current trends in water management, including the role of private investment, the challenges of remunicipalization, and the complexities of water services in Latin America, with David highlighting the need for public ownership and management to address long-term water resource challenges.
Summary
Progressive Public Services Discussion
David McDonald, a professor at Queen’s University in Canada and director of the Municipal Services Project, was the first guest to participate in a Blue Talk for the Blue community. The Municipal Services Project, a global research network, focuses on exploring progressive forms of public services with an emphasis on equity, sustainability, and democratic engagement.
Public Water Services Evaluation Framework
David explained his support for public water services, emphasizing that while private sector involvement can sometimes be beneficial, profit motives and contractor management issues make privatization problematic for essential services. He outlined a framework for evaluating public services based on criteria like accountability, transparency, sustainability, and equity, noting that what works well in one place may not be suitable elsewhere. David shared that he and his colleagues have conducted comparative analysis of public services across different locations and time periods to identify transferable lessons, acknowledging that while there is no perfect public service model, there are valuable insights to be gained from studying various approaches.
Private Water Investment Challenges
David explained that while private investment in water services is often promoted by institutions like the World Bank, private companies are increasingly reluctant to own water infrastructure due to financial and political risks. He noted that the World Bank now focuses more on public-private partnerships and long-term contracts rather than outright privatization. David emphasized that while private companies play a significant role in water services through construction and technology, they should not own or manage water provision on a daily basis. He suggested that in cases where public management is inadequate, it may be more effective to build public capacity and finances rather than relying on private companies.
Challenges of Remunicipalization in UK
David discussed the challenges and risks associated with contracting out public services, highlighting the loss of administrative and technical skills, increased costs, and difficulties in remunicipalizing services. He noted successful examples of remunicipalization in Paris and Berlin but emphasized the financial barriers and legal complexities involved in such processes, particularly at a national scale. David suggested that remunicipalization in the UK would require a strong public movement and political will, along with financial support, to overcome the hurdles posed by powerful multinational corporations and the high costs associated with reversing privatization.
Water Management Challenges in Latin America
David and Roland discussed the complexities of water management in Latin America, particularly the debate over privatization in Argentina and Brazil under new governments. They explored the challenges faced by water justice organizations who fear state control and prefer community-run services, with David noting that while community control is desirable, it’s not always feasible or practical, especially in informal settlements. The conversation also touched on the issue of illegal water connections in Mexico, which David viewed as a symptom of broader service delivery failures rather than the root cause, emphasizing the need to address underlying issues of equity and affordability.
Public Water Management Solutions
David discussed the global water crisis, emphasizing the need for public ownership and management of water services due to the long-term nature of water resource challenges. He highlighted his ongoing research on remunicipalization, public banks, and green finance, particularly in the context of water and sanitation services. David also mentioned a recent paper on the remunicipalization of water in Bordeaux and shared plans for future research projects.
