Water Barons

"The privatization of public water systems around the world, driven by a handful of European corporations and the World Bank, is dramatically increasing despite sometimes tragic results, according to a new study by the Center for Public Integrity.

"The report, by the Center’s International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, shows that the world’s three largest private water utility companies have since 1990 expanded into nearly every region of the world, raising concerns that a handful of private companies could soon control a large chunk of the world’s most vital resource.

"While private companies still run only about 5 percent of the world’s waterworks, their growth over the last 12 years has been enormous. The report tracked the operations of the six most globally active water companies and found that operations had grown nearly five-fold...

"The report, titled 'The Water Barons' will be released in 10 parts from Feb. 3 through Feb. 14."