Water sustains all life. We drink it, we bathe in it, we grow our food with it. We can’t live without it. Yet today, water is being polluted, depleted and diverted at a rapid rate. One in 6 people — more than 1 billion — lack access to clean water. And that number will increase if we do not act now.

It is no wonder Fortune magazine calls water the oil of the 21st century — “the precious commodity that determines the wealth of nations.”

As a result of water scarcity, there’s a battle brewing over who owns our water. Special interests seek to exploit the water crisis for profit, at the expense of individuals and communities. It’s called water privatization, which means that the world’s largest corporations, like Suez, Veolia and RWE, want to control the world’s water… and profit from it.

We promote the right to universal access to clean, affordable water. We support local, democratic control of the world’s water resources. Working with allies around the world, we campaign to keep water under public control. We believe water is a human right and a common good. That is why we work with citizens, businesses, and elected officials to strengthen the management of our public water resources. We hope you’ll join us.

We want to hear from you. Email us at water(at)fwwatch(dot)org.

Were you aware that America’s water infrastructure needs to be upgraded?

When a resource is as basic as clean water, it can be easy to take for granted. But while steady access to clean water is a cornerstone of modern society, its future is far from secure. Clear Waters: Why America Needs a Clean Water Trust Fund examines trends in clean water spending on a state-by-state level, pointing out the need for urgent action while explaining the benefits that could be achieved through the establishment of a clean water trust fund.

Kick the Bottled Water Habit in Favor of Tap Water

American consumers drink more bottled water every year, in part because they think it is somehow safer or better than tap water. Rather than buying into this myth of purity in a bottle, consumers should drink from the tap. Bottled water generally is no cleaner, or safer, or healthier than tap water. In fact, the federal government requires far more rigorous and frequent safety testing and monitoring of municipal drinking water. Take Back the Tap: Why Choosing Tap Water over Bottled Water is Better for Your Health, Your Pocketbook, and the Environment, will educate consumers about the various problems with bottled water and why they should switch to tap water.

Read Our Newsletters

Currents –– our newsletter about the corporate control of water, featuring community news, legislative updates and action alerts.

Defend the Global Commons –– our international activist newsletter that provides news updates from water struggles from around the world and communities defending the right to water. Available in English and Spanish.