Bill to Prevent Privatization of Milwaukee Water Works Would Protect Vital Public Resource
2009-10-06
Contact:
Kate Fried: (202) 683-2500
Bill to Prevent Privatization of Milwaukee Water Works Would Protect Vital Public Resource
Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director
Wenonah Hauter
Washington, D.C.—“Last week, State Representative Frederick P. Kessler (12th Assembly District) introduced a bill to the Wisconsin State Assembly that would forbid the privatization of the Milwaukee Water Works. A publically controlled utility, the water works has been the subject of intense debate since October 2008 when the Milwaukee Common Council took initial steps toward leasing it to a private company as a means of alleviating the city’s budget crunch.
“The plan to hand over the city’s drinking water system for 75 to 99 years in return for an upfront payment from a private buyer is no solution to Milwaukee’s financial problems. Around the U.S. and abroad, private utility companies routinely take over struggling public water systems, only to jack up rates while service suffers. No community should trust the claims of a corporation claiming to offer quick and easy solutions to complex civic issues, especially when such companies are beholden to shareholders, not customers.
“Food & Water Watch and the Keep Our Water Public Coalition applaud Representative Kessler and urge the Wisconsin State Assembly to protect Milwaukee’s water from exploitation by private interests by signing it into law. We also urge the Milwaukee Common council to take immediate action to pass a resolution against privatizing the city’s Water Works in order to ensure safe and affordable water for all Milwaukeeans."
Food & Water Watch, a nonprofit consumer organization, works to ensure clean water and safe food in the United States and around the world. We challenge the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink. For more information, visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org