ROME, May 5 (Reuters) - Italy's economy minister announced plans on Thursday to set up a supervisory authority for the water sector, which the government is reforming via public tenders of water service concessions.
To boost competition and draw private investors to the water sector, which needs at least 60 billion euros ($89 billion), Italy is obliging local authorities to tender water service concessions from 2011.
Some industry players have urged the government to set up a regulator to oversee the sector from tenders to contract implementation, and to protect consumers in a way similar to the energy market watchdog.
Economy minister Giulio Tremonti said the creation of a watchdog for the water sector was included in a new decree on economic development. (Reporting by Catherine Hornby; Editing by Dan Lalor) ($1 = 0.6726 euro)