"In her book Water
Wars, the Indian author Vandana Shiva lists nine principles underpinning
water democracy. At least two of these principles are directly compromised by
the privatization of water. Point number four states that “Water must be free
for sustenance needs. Since nature gives water to us free of cost, buying and
selling it for profit violates our inherent right to nature's gift and denies
the poor of their human rights.” When private companies try to make large
profits through high water prices, it denies the poor the inalienable right to
the most necessary substance for life. Inaccordance with this fact,
point number seven states, “Water is a commons. . . It cannot be owned as
private property and sold as a commodity.” How can one justify claiming water as
their own through contractual agreement while letting another human being go
thirsty? Water is a commons because it is the basis of all life. Water rights
are natural rights and thus are usufructuary rights, meaning that water can be
used, but not owned. As far fetched as water ownership may seem, it is happening
at an increasing rate around the globe."
"Currently there is a rush to privatize water services around the world. The
World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are pushing for the
privatization of water services by European and U.S.-based companies. They are
pushing privatization through stipulations in trade agreements and loan
conditions to developing countries. These privatization programs started in the
early 1990’s and have since emerged in India, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina,
Nigeria, Mexico, Malaysia, Australia, and the Philippines, to name a few. In
Chile, the World Bank imposed a loan condition to guarantee a 33 percent profit
margin to the French company Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux while the company insisted
on a margin of 35 percent."
"This privatization of services is only the first step toward the privatization of all aspects of water. Through this new globalization and privatization of water resources, there is an effort to replace collective ownership of water sources with corporate control. This effort is being met with increasing opposition. Supporters of privatization say that it has a great track record of success, increasing the efficiency, quality, reliability and affordability of services to the population."
"Yet the industry has a track record of hazards and failures. For example, private companies most often violate standards of operation, and engage in price fixing without many consequences. This leads to water stress among the poor populations of these areas, causing people to drink water that is often very contaminated and hazardous to their health (even though case studies have shown that privatized water can be very contaminated as well)."
Rising Prices and Deteriorating
Water Quality
Australia -
In 1998, the water in Sydney, was contaminated with high levels of
giardia and cryptosporidium shortly after its water was overtaken by Suez
Lyonnaise des Eaux.
Canada - At least seven people died as a result of E. coli bacteria in Walkerton, Ontario, after water testing had been privatized by A&L Labs. The company treated the test results as "confidential intellectual property" and did not make them public.
Morocco - Consumers saw the price of water increase threefold after the water service was privatized in Casablanca.
Argentina - When a Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux subsidiary purchased the state-run water company Obras Sanitarias de la Nacion, water rates doubled but water quality deteriorated. The company was forced to leave the country when residents refused to pay their bills.
Britain - Water and sewage bills increased 67 percent between 1989 and 1995. The rate at which people's services were disconnected rose by 177 percent.
New Zealand - Citizens took to the streets to protest the commercialization of water.
South Africa - Water became inaccessible, unaffordable, and unsafe after the water supply was privatized by Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux in Johannesburg. Cholera infections became widespread and thousands of people were disconnected from their supply of water.
Canada - At least seven people died as a result of E. coli bacteria in Walkerton, Ontario, after water testing had been privatized by A&L Labs. The company treated the test results as "confidential intellectual property" and did not make them public.
Morocco - Consumers saw the price of water increase threefold after the water service was privatized in Casablanca.
Argentina - When a Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux subsidiary purchased the state-run water company Obras Sanitarias de la Nacion, water rates doubled but water quality deteriorated. The company was forced to leave the country when residents refused to pay their bills.
Britain - Water and sewage bills increased 67 percent between 1989 and 1995. The rate at which people's services were disconnected rose by 177 percent.
New Zealand - Citizens took to the streets to protest the commercialization of water.
South Africa - Water became inaccessible, unaffordable, and unsafe after the water supply was privatized by Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux in Johannesburg. Cholera infections became widespread and thousands of people were disconnected from their supply of water.
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