The Water Barons

An excerpt brought to our attention by a Naybob whose temperance is that of a waterfowl or of a "Ducky" nature...

The Water Barons...Based on past experience in other countries, though, privatizing water carries risks.

The water giants not only will raise rates to cover costs, critics say, but will use monopolies over water systems and rights to manipulate the system.

Critics fear that these companies will not be held accountable, so jobs will be lost, quality will wane and the poor will lose service.

"Why does somebody need to make money on your water?" said Dick Hierstein, city manager of Pekin, Ill., which decided to buy back its water system from American Water Works.

"Does somebody need to make money off the air you breathe? It is as simple as that."