A comparative analysis of the reflection of neoliberal transformation to water management policies: England-Wales and Turkey

Water management is a public policy that includes many factors such as the conscious use of resources, conservation, sustainability and planning. The deterioration of the supply-demand balance in water resources and environmental impacts necessitate the effective management of water resources. Water services can be carried out by the private sector, public-private partnerships or public monopoly. With the influence of international organizations, each country adopts different water management models in line with its socio-economic structure. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of neoliberal policies on water management in the context of Turkey. For this reason, England-Wales and Turkey, which have successfully carried out privatization, are analyzed within the framework of the changing water management structure and functioning after neoliberal policies. The similarities and differences between the water management models of England-Wales and Turkey were investigated. Document analysis was used as data collection technique. Legal documents, policy documents and research reports were analyzed by dividing them into historical periods for the analysis of water management in England-Wales and Turkey. According to the data obtained, a centralist perspective prevails in Turkey and the central administration is the main actor in water management. However, an integrated water management model has not been established. It is seen that efficiency in water management is not prioritized and decisions remain at the level of rhetoric, the most concrete example of this is that the Draft Water Law, which was included in policy documents 25 years ago, has still not been enacted by 2023. Keywords: England-Wales, Neoliberal Policies, Privatization, Water Law, Water Management.