Committee: ​United Nations Human Rights Council

Topic:​ Addressing the Privatization of Water and Water Shortage in Developing Nations
Country: ​United States
Water privatization is when private corporations buy or operate public water utilities
with the goal to solve municipal budget problems and aging water systems. Unfortunately, this
more often backfires, leaving communities with higher rates, worse service, job losses, and more
(F&WW 1)​.The term “privatization” covers a wide spectrum of water utility operations,
management, and ownership. The four major classes of water privatization include private
privatization (services and supplies for laboratory work), private contracting for the water plant
with operation and maintenance, negotiating a contract with a private firm of design with
construction and operation of facilities, then the sale of water for a profit ​(NAP 2)​. Recently,
water utilities have been under lots of pressure to balance both physical and financial
responsibilities, especially when it comes to providing affordable, clean water with a reliable
service ​(Kane 3)​. Water privatization and corporate agendas are driven by profits rather than
public good, which results in lower quality water at a higher price. This puts a price on a basic
human right.
Although many U.S water utilities are today publicly owned and operated, many U.S
water utilities were initially private ventures ​(NAP 2).​ It used to be that our public water systems
were the backbone of our society, that we could count on for our public health, which was very
well funded. Recently in the 80s, all that funding had dried up, so now we have a country full of
water systems that are badly in need of infrastructure help and are very underfunded. ​(Erbentraut
4)​. According to the U.S Global Water Strategy, “to contribute to a healthier, safer, and more
prosperous world, the United States will work to support a water secure world where people have
sustainable supplies of water of sufficient quantity and quality to meet human, economic, and
ecosystem needs while managing risks from floods and droughts​ (USGWS 5).”​ The specific
steps the United states is taking is increasing sustainable access to safe drinking water and
sanitation services, encouraging the sound management and protection of freshwater resources,
promoting cooperation on shared waters, strengthening water-sector governance, financing and
institutions ​(USGWS 5)​. In 2022, the Agency seeks to provide 15 million people with
sustainable access to safe drinking water services publicly.
Clean drinking and treatment water are basic human rights provided by your government.
So, it is necessary to have clean, affordable water for both sanitation and public health. Solutions
to water privatization include 3 things. Bulk purchasing of laboratory equipment for water testing
to save money, public water utilities sharing capital projects to lower investment costs, and re
engineering public utilities to partner with non government organizations with experienced
technicians, engineers, and front-line employees to maximize experience and reduce cost
(F&WW 6). ​As expected, many countries that are have water privatization are seeing water
prices rise or even double. These include the countries include Canada and the UK. Some
European countries are starting to end water privatization such as Germany and France.
 Citations

(F&WW 1) Water Privatization- Facts and Figures Page 1

https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/insight/water-privatization-facts-and-figures

(NAP 2) Executive Summary, Page 1 ​https://www.nap.edu/read/10135/chapter/2

(Kane 3) Page 1
https://www.brookings.edu/research/investing-in-water-comparing-utility-finances-and-e
co
nomic-concerns-across-u-s-cities/

(Erbentraut 4) page 1
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/water-privatization-why-you-should-care_n_5671cb10e4
b0648fe301fab2

(USGWS 5) page 4 ( Executive Summary)

https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/275842.pdf

( F&WW 6) An Efficent, Effective, Alternative to Water

Privatization (Page 1)
http://www.onthecommons.org/magazine/efficient-effective-alternative-water-privatizati
on#sthash.ffYkovBQ.dpbs