If individual ministries or public agencies operate independently, rather than undertaking cross-sectoral initiatives, the opportunity for “whole government” approaches is minimised. At the same time, possibilities for maximising efficiency and effectiveness in cross-sectoral public services may be lost, adversely affecting sub-national development. In the past few decades, this trend has been exacerbated by the increasing involvement of local and supranational actors whose concerns for water differ. This can be at the origin of resource and supply gaps.