This paper examines the political and corporate constructions of the 1995-9
6 drought crisis in West Yorkshire, when an unprecedented public furore was
provoked by the threat of water-supply cut-offs. A key outcome of this pro
cess was a profound crisis of confidence over the governance of water resou
rces, which can be Linked to the privatization of the industry and, more br
oadly, to the processes of redrawing the boundaries of the state. The water
industry illustrates the contestability of neoliberal reforms seeking to i
nspire market-led growth with minimal government intervention. In particula
r, political dogma about the anticipated benefits of market competitiveness
failed adequately to take into account public concern for the 'common good
'.