New research: Institutional diversity and safe drinking water provision in the United States
Applying insights from the Institutional Analysis and Design literature, we create and analyze a dataset of California’s water systems classified into 26 structural types associated with distinct governance institutions. We document differences in the number of Safe Drinking Water Act violations among these types and demonstrate their relevance for implementing solutions targeting non-compliance. Advancing equitable access necessitates greater attention to organizational structure and institutional diversity in drinking water.