Providing adequate water and sanitation services is one of the most critical challenges facing cities in the developing world. Local governments can play a key role in improving these services. They can serve as a catalyst for developing and implementing sustainable solutions. And they can also ensure that these solutions are "place-based" (local) and "pro-poor" (based on what currently works for the poor). This "white paper" discusses the keys to success in providing these services and showcases the value that ICMA can bring to international development programs in this sector.