Reclaiming public water 10 years after the 'Water War' http://www.tni.org/article/reclaiming-public-water-10-years-after-water-war

Close to 80 campaigners, community water activists, public water operators and unionists from 30 countries came together February 1st to the 3rd 2010, when the Reclaiming Public Water (RPW) Network held its global strategy seminar in Brussels, Belgium. The event was the first global RPW assembly since the network was launched in autumn 2005. The seminar was a space for sharing knowledge and experiences about improving public water provision through democratisation, partnerships between utilities and other actors (public-public partnerships) and other progressive solutions.No less important, the seminar focused on strategising on the next steps in research, campaigning and other joint work.

An integral theme during the seminar was the impact of the climate change in exacerbating an already accelerating water crisis. Final programme Among the many inspiring presentations was that of Anne Le Strat, director of Eau de Paris, who presented the first positive results of the newly established public water company in the French capital. Water delivery in Paris was re-municipalised as of 1st of January this year, after decades of privatisation. David Hall, director of Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU), in his presentation added more examples of the turning tide against water privatisation, but also warned that – despite its numerous failures – privatisation is not yet off the political agenda.