Research

Akron, OH

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: On November 4, 2008, Akron residents went to the polls and issued a resounding call for public control of water and sewer services. With a countywide voter turnout of more than 70 percent, Akron overwhelmingly rejected privatization and overwhelmingly supported the public’s right to have a voice in what happens to their utilities.

Allentown, PA

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: Allentown residents are fighting the lease of their water and sewer systems.

Chicago, IL

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: Former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley privatized many city assets by leasing them to the highest bidder. In 2010, he said that more deals were on his agenda and that nothing was off-limits — not even the water system. Speculation that the water system was next on the chopping block prompted massive public outcry.

Citrus County, FL

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: Former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley privatized many city assets by leasing them to the highest bidder. In 2010, he said that more deals were on his agenda and that nothing was off-limits — not even the water system. Speculation that the water system was next on the chopping block prompted massive public outcry.

Detroit, MI

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) has faced a host of privatization threats in recent years. Fortunately, organized public resistance has fended off these privatization attempts, and as of December 2012, Detroit’s water system remains under local, public control.

Florida

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: FLOW Florida, spearheaded by the late Frank Reams, is an example of a very successful statewide effort against a private water company. Within a few short years, the public campaign apparently is driving the company out of the state.

Franklin Township, NJ

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: Franklin Township was planning to privatize the operation, maintenance and management of its water system through a 20-year contract with Suez’s United Water.

Grand Island, NE

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: Franklin Township was planning to privatize the operation, maintenance and management of its water system through a 20-year contract with Suez’s United Water.

Illinois

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: Food & Water Watch monitors state legislation related to public and private water utilities. We have supported bills that protect public water resources and opposed industry-backed legislation that would have facilitated privatization and rates hikes.

Marion, IN

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: In May 2010, Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold proposed selling Marion Municipal Utilities to pay for other city projects. The city council decided to pursue the plan and issued a request for proposals. American Water, Aqua America and United Water responded.

Milwaukee, WI

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: Public opposition prevented the privatization of Milwaukee’s drinking water system.

Nassau County, NY

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano wants to privatize the county’s sewer system to help balance the county’s general budget.

Ramsey, NJ

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: The Borough of Ramsey sought to sell its water and sewer systems to a private company. United Water, Middlesex Water Company and Aqua America submitted proposals. Food & Water Watch worked with the Utility Workers Union of America and local residents to oppose the privatization.

Rockland County, NY

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: There is strong public opposition to United Water’s proposal to desalinate Hudson River water for its customers in Rockland County.

Trenton, NJ

Published on February 21, 2013 - Case Studies: Trenton voters soundly rebuffed a proposal to sell a large part of their water system to the New Jersey arm of American Water.

San Diego, CA

Published on November 13, 2012 - Case Studies: Trenton voters soundly rebuffed a proposal to sell a large part of their water system to the New Jersey arm of American Water.

The Price of Privatization: Stockton CA

Published on December 03, 2009 - Case Studies: What may be the most notorious water privatization deal in the United States came to a close July 17, 2007 when the Stockton city council decided against appealing a judge‚ ruling that its contract with OMI-Thames Water had violated California environmental law. For four years, the Concerned Citizens Coalition of Stockton waged a grassroots campaign that culminated in a legal victory to defeat the privatization of their municipal water utility. The company must now return control of the utility to Stockton, effective March 2008.

State Privatization Factsheets

Published on December 02, 2009 - Case Studies: State Privatization Factsheets The Top Five Reasons to Keep Florida’s Water in Public Hands

Analysis of Newark's Water Optimization Plan

Published on November 04, 2009 - Case Studies: State Privatization Factsheets The Top Five Reasons to Keep Florida’s Water in Public Hands

Atlanta, GA

Published on November 04, 2009 - Case Studies: In August 2002, citizens of Atlanta, GA, fed up with Suez-owned United Water, gave an ultimatum: turn it around in 90 days or get out. While the contract, which began in 1999, had a history of scandal, ultimately it was performance that doomed United Water.