Jackson Hanson

1st period
Committee: United Nations Human Rights Council
Country: United Kingdom
Topic: Water privatization

Water Privatization
Water privatization is the purchase of water rights by a private corporation for the resale
in other countries. Water privatization has become a controversial topic. The Earth’s usable
freshwater is decreasing at an alarming rate. Recently, food and beverage giant, Nestle, has
pumped over one billion liters of water out of Ontario, Canada (Canadians.org, 2019). In
addition to this, over 780 million people in the world don’t have access to clean water (CDC,
2016). Water privatization is often blamed for the increase in water prices in less developed
countries, however, it does have its benefits.
In 1989, England and Wales became the only places in the world where water and
sewage are fully privatized. The decision to move to a privatized water system has been a
success, and the water quality is very high. However, there is a lack of competition between
water companies in the UK. These companies are viewed as having a “natural monopoly”
because customers are unable to change their water provider. For this reason, water privatization
is consistently attacked in media. However, it is also supported by the World Bank, water rights
groups, and major corporations. Privatization of water is also necessary to effectively secure a
loan from the IMF and World Bank.
Water privatization should not be prohibited, but it can be limited to a certain extent.
Water privatization should not be banned as a whole. A course of action that would be beneficial
to all sides would be to put a limit on the prices water companies can charge on water. This
would make water more affordable globally, without ending water privatization. This price
regulation would also help end the “natural monopolies” that UK water companies have over
their customers, and increase competition. This course of action would help to make water more
affordable less developed countries.
 Jackson Hanson
1st period
Works Cited

“Global WASH Fast Facts | Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water | CDC.” Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

www.cdc.gov/healthywater/global/wash_statistics.html​.

“The Council of Canadians.” Protect Water: Boycott Nestlé | The Council of Canadians, 27 Mar. 2019,

www.canadians.org/nestle

Worstall, Tim. “The Success Of Water Privatisation In England Is Now Under Attack.” Forbes, Forbes

Magazine, 4 Aug. 2013,

www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/08/04/the-success-of-water-privatisation-in-england-is-now-unde

r-attack/#771989021ad2​.

“24 Years Later: A Look at Water Privatisation in England and Wales.” Black & Veatch, 7 Aug. 2017,

www.bv.com/insights/expert-perspectives/24-years-later-look-water-privatisation-england-and-wales​.