One of the most important prerequisites for achieving the operational and financial self-sustainability of water companies is strengthening the capacity of local self-governments within their competences to provide water and communal services, including the capacity of municipal/city councils/assemblies to monitor the quality of water supply and drainage and wastewater treatment services, analysis related reports and adoption of tariff proposals. 

In order to fulfill this prerequisite, it is necessary to raise the awareness of local authorities, as well as to improve their capacity to fulfill legal obligations to provide quality water supply and drainage and wastewater treatment services to all their citizens (including marginalized and vulnerable groups, as well as urban and rural areas ). 

Also, representatives in municipal/city councils must better understand the structure of these services, as well as ways of achieving and monitoring operational efficiency, which will enable full coverage of all costs incurred by providing services, and which will contribute to more responsible decision-making.

The publication of good practice brings concrete examples from the work of partner water companies during the implementation of the first phase of the MEG project.