The purpose of this study is (1) to examine the current situations and problems of the water utility service in local government, (2) to suggest some solutions to the problems. This study is particulary about the water utility service in Pohang city a...
The purpose of this study is (1) to examine the current situations and problems of the water utility service in local government, (2) to suggest some solutions to the problems. This study is particulary about the water utility service in Pohang city as a case of municipally-owned public enterprise. The rearch was done with theoretical theses and statistical data.
To examine its problems of the water utility service, the principles of management, the organization and personnel management, the finance and investment policy were analyzed. The problems of the water utility service in this study may be summed up as follows :
1. Inefficiency of management, such as organization, manpower planning, and public utility rates system.
2. Lack of finance and investment that is required to expand and to improve water facilities.
3. Neglect of the harmony of the public interest and the business profitability.
4, Incapacity of supply facilities to cope with the increasing demand in both side of quantity and quality.
Taking into account the fact that many of the problems are related to the form of direct control from municipal government, some devices were suggested to improve the management of water utility service. They are as follows :
1. It is a key to solution of so many problems, to secure managerial independence and self -contained finance. (a) To achieve the independence of its organization and personnel management, it is necessary that water utility service should be seperated from the general administrative agency or changed into the form of public cooperation. (b) To achieve the independence of its finance, there should be the improvement of management, the reasonable level of water rate and the reconsideration of investment policy.
2. There should be devised proper countermeasures to reduce inefficiency of management, such as performance evaluation methodology, leak detection, and recruiting water specialist.
3. To cope with the increasing demands of water supply, the central government should permit the local government to raise the reasonable level of water rate, to be provided with finance aids, and to use public funds for the expansion of facilities.
4. Water development plan should be laid out prudently, not a temparary expedient but a comprehensive program.