WATER COLLECTION, TREATMENT AND SUPPLY AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE AND ENGINE FOR SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT IN POST PANDEMIC PERIOD. ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE V. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Abstract

Communities are becoming active partners in economic development, and increasing the quality of life is the main expectation of locals. Water supply is essential for any activity, in the business environment or at the household level. In addition, the quality of the water supplied and the price can influence the health of the inhabitants. As an essential resource during the pandemic, water distribution was one of the facilitators for observing the restrictions and maintaining the conditions of hygiene and self-protection. Using quantitative and qualitative data on the availability and efficient use of local drinking water services, in our study we found that, as an essential service, the role of water distribution companies is to find a balance between supply and demand closing the gap of market deficit at the local level and to promote the increase of social profit but not only of monetary profitability. Based on the enterprise statistics, we highlighted the economic and financial performance of the Romanian companies compared to those from other EU-27 member countries, we identified the performance adjustment factors and we formulated some policy recommendations that would allow a sustainable and resilient development during post pandemic.

Keywords

• water distribution services
• social profit
• economic profitability
• digitalization
• pandemic