Understanding the dynamics of water services in the context of the Slovak Republic

Abstract

Despite the fact that the legal regulation of water services is relatively young, it represents the result of significant and numerous changes, the common denominator of which is the effort to ensure a high level of availability, protection, and quality of water. Given the seriousness and global dimension of environmental protection, in addition to the attri- bute of dynamism, water management services also have the attributes of discussion and topicality. With regard to the above, the authors of the presented article employ basic scientific and theoretical methods to present a thorough analysis of the administration and management of water services in the Slovak Republic, with special emphasis on the institute of privatisation, which represented the initial step towards the transformation of water management enterprises after November 1989. The basic idea was to transfer decision-making authority over these enterprises from the state to municipalities and cities, with the aim of increasing the efficiency, quality, and long-term sustainability of the provision of water management services. In the authors’ view, a deeper understand- ing of water services administration and management in the Slovak Republic appears highly valuable. It would not only serve as a suitable source for making comparisons with the situation in this area in other countries, but also as a means of stimulating informed dialogue in society, with the aim of increasing environmental awareness and thus pre- serving the most favourable environment for future generations.