Mechanism Design in Regional Arrangements for Water Governance

Governing shared water resources requires collaboration among multiple actors, often attained through formal or informal institutions. This paper analyzes how governments design institutions to address common challenges for collective action. More specifically, the asks whether variations in levels of transaction cost risk influence the mechanisms monitoring, ensuring compliance, sanctioning noncompliant behavior governance resources. To that end, four intergovernmental agreements securing access unfiltered drinking United States are studied: Boston, New York, Portland, and San Francisco. Results indicate may play a role monitoring mechanisms, but more nuanced than originally anticipated. Also, analysis highlights existence strategies addressing conflict, regardless risks.