Everyone knows that water is the stuff of life. But is it best viewed as a commodity or as part of the commons? Should providing safe, affordable water be the role of governments, corporations, or partnerships between the two? On Tuesday, July 13 (dates may vary for local stations), the PBS show P.O.V. is airing “Thirst,” a documentary by Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman that addresses these and other issues about water privatization. In partnership with P.O.V., Grist is hosting a week-long debate on the merits of water privatization between Peter Cook, executive director of the National Association of Water Companies, and Maude Barlow and Sara Ehrhardt, anti-privatization activists with the Council of Canadians.
Dear Maude and Sara:
According to our agreement this is my last offering in this dialogue. I have provided my comments together with the facts and figures upon which they are based. While I have welcomed your opinions and considered your views, I found little if any support for your arguments. Your opinions, while long on rhetoric, fall short on facts.
For example, in your last posting you say, “It has been widely acknowledged that... Read more
