Providing water and sanitation services to low-income communities is a key development challenge in urban areas. In Buenos Aires, the delivery of services to these neighbourhoods has historically been undermined by changing combinations of political clientelism, poorly coordinated government programmes, inappropriate and eventually rescinded privatization schemes and a lack participation by local people.

This paper traces the different stages of IIED-Latina America work, explaining the challenges encountered and the strategies used to overcome them. It also examines some key determinants of success:
• working in collaboration;
• using information as a driver for change;
• finance mechanisms; and
• scaling up.