German conglomerate ownes 1,800 amer. water utilities

[donsu]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0605280305may28,1,867797.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true


Pressure turned up in the war on water
Towns push to make service public again


For many towns across the country, it once seemed like a good idea to have municipal water utilities in the hands of private companies.

Now, bristling against skyrocketing rates, spotty service and foreign ownership, a number of towns across Illinois and the U.S. are waging fierce battles to regain control of their drinking water. A host of them are fighting a German conglomerate that has snapped up more than 1,800 American water utilities.

The battle is intensifying in Illinois, where the German company RWE and subsidiary Illinois American Water own the water supplies for more than 1 million people in 125 areas of the state.

Responding to complaints, American Water held meetings last week in Homer Glen, Orland Park and Bolingbrook hoping to mollify angry customers. Instead, they tapped into a deep vein of frustration.

"Everything we hear is double-talk," said Debbie Litoborski of Homer Glen, who is fighting the company over an $800 water bill. "Should we call Germany to get the answers we need?"
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who owns your water?

[sadiesworld]

1. Corporatism marches on. n/t

[northzax]

2. so let me get this straight

the towns sold operating rights to a company, and now wants to buy them back at a lower price? sounds like a good plan to me.

by the way, since 1990, 97% of private-contracted water utilities in the US have met the terms of their contracts, including lower operating costs, better water quality, improved infrastructure and reduced environmental violations. That's not all of them, obviously, but it's by far MOST of them.

[donsu]

3. and you know this because...?

nt

[northzax]

4. I know it because I have read the study

look at 2005, for instance. I know of over 200 contracts for water operations that were up for renewal last year. that means, after the term of the contract, the municipality chooses whether to renew the contract, renegotiate it, or do something else. in 4 cases, that I know of, the contract was not renewed. 4 out of 200 (that I know of) in 98%+ of the time, the municipality renewed the contract with the same provider. Do you sign a new services contract (like for internet, or cell phone, or something) with a company that you aren't happy with?

hey, it doesn't always work, but in the overwhelmingly majority of cases, it does.