The purpose of this article is to provide a retrospective analysis of two drinking water access programmes aimed at populations living in the poor neighbourhoods of (1) Buenos Aires (Argentina) and (2) Port-au-Prince (Haiti). The authors reflect on the real stakes behind these initiatives, based on an analysis of both experiences with their different development structures, and of the management models introduced (giving new momentum to the state-owned company in the case of Haiti and building a public-private partnership in Argentina).