The objective of this study is to define the parameters that should guide the transfer of responsibility for wastewater services. Based on the objectives identified by consensus during working group meetings in February 1995, the study was carried out with consistent reference to a number of objectives. The first objective is to reduce the financial burden of wastewater services on the GOT. The high cost of infrastructure and the heavy subsidies currently requested of the government lie at the origin of the present attempt to identify financially viable alternative solutions. The desire to improve efficiency and to reduce the costs of operating and maintaining wastewater facilities is another objective of this study. ONAS will gradually disengage itself from sewerage facility management and operation, and will award a growing number of contracts to the private sector. While the quality of ONAS services has always been exceptional considering the applicable standards, the response to customers' needs leaves much to be desired, implying that both the condition and the operational effectiveness of sewerage facilities should be improved, as should sensitivity to the desires of end users. A second objective is to provide sewerage services to new communities and to certain unnerved older neighborhoods, which is already one of ONAS's responsibilities. Lastly, the GOT wants to promote the development of SMEs that could benefit from this vast new market.