water be considered a public good and not be privatized

Thank you. Debate: Water privatization Should water be considered a public good and not be privatized? Water is a human right, not a commodity: Water is the most crucial substance in a human life. Being an aqueous creature, we need water to survive because it serves as a fuel to our body. This argument centers on the point that water should be considered a human right, the most fundamental right in the United States is the right to life. Since we as human beings need water to survive and maintain a stable health, it is necessary that we preserve water as a human right. If we alow the privatization of water, these companies will not able to provide water to all individuals as they are most likely to use water as a way to boost there economic status in other words "make more money". This is why the government must secure water through public ownership and distribution. In terms of commodity, water cannot be seen as a commodity rather it should be seen as a right. Water unlike all commodities has no alternatives making water the most unique substance of all. Water should be seen as a right because like i mentioned earlier, humans need water in other to survive. SUB POINT: culture The idea of water privatization brings up protest among the public showing that water has a private place in the human society. If we look back in history, we find most civilization grew up near water, we also find that water serves as a symbolic substance to all humans and species. To Christians and many other religion water symbolizes life and rebirth. "Water and Culture. There has already been a great deal of attention given to forming a link between and reconciling the environmental and economic needs for water, with due consideration for the survival requirements of different species, including our own. While these are important considerations, it is also crucial not to forget another, ancient dimension to water - that of the significance of water to culture. Civilizations have always evolved close to and developed along waterways, and water is highly symbolic to all peoples, whether as a vital source of transport and communication, as to the indigenous peoples of the Amazon or for Russians along the Volga, or for its purifying role, as exemplified by the significance that the Ganges holds the Hindu civilization which has developed in its basin. Water is also universally recognised as the source of all life, a belief that is held most fervently by peoples in arid regions. It is for this reason that the abuses which have been inflicted on water and watercourse should be, and increasingly are, considered unacceptable and a major indication of the urgent need for us to change our behavior and priorities." {1} "the intrinsic value of the Earth's fresh water precedes its utility and commercial value, and therefore must be respected and safeguarded by all political, commercial and social institutions." {2} Source: 1}http://webworld.unesco.org... 2}Global backlash: citizen initiatives for a just world economy By Robin Broad (book) Companies are incapable of securing the right to water: The fact that companies care more about the profit they make over the needs of an individual should not be explained as it is logical. We have seen this in many cases such as that insurance companies and many fast food restaurants. This statement does not mean that all companies are ignorant towards the needs and happiness of the public rather there economic priorities are much higher than that of there public priorities. Privatizing water would mean that individuals will need to pay the amount the companies have set just to gain there water needs. Since water is a vital part of human life, the individuals would have no choice but to pay the price. Companies can sometimes increase there price range dramatically just to increase there profit leaving public no control over the price of water. This is a problem because if an individual cannot afford to pay for water, they are then forced to move due to thirst or stay and die of dehydration. This significantly alters the basic rights of the individual because there right to life has been limited and there right to happiness destroyed. Steve Egan, Public Works Corporate Consultant interviewed in "Watter Warriors" 2007 documentary. - "[It's easy to think we need to have] compassion for the people [of..Highland Park, Michigan], but the business responsibilities I think limit how compassionate we can actually be." {3} Maude Barlow & Tony Clarke. "Who Owns Water?" The Nation. September 2nd, 2002 - "The commodification of water is wrong -- ethically, environmentally and socially. It insures that decisions regarding the allocation of water would center on commercial, not environmental or social justice considerations. Privatization means that the management of water resources is based on principles of scarcity and profit maximization rather than long-term sustainability. Corporations are dependent on increased consumption to generate profits and are much more likely to invest in the use of chemical technology, desalination, marketing and water trading than in conservation." {4} Source: 3} http://www.youtube.com... 4} http://www.ratical.org... Private ownership of water can threaten public health and citizen rights: While many argue that private ownership can be the most resourceful way, this has not proven itself to be true. Privatization of a natural element such as water could lead to public chaos. public health could be in jeopardy if water were to be privatized as many will not be able to afford the price that these companies have set. Economics: Like i mentioned in my previous contention, water privatization often lead to the increase of price that could resolve to three to four prices higher than the public ownership price. The companies are increasing there profits from the amount of money they make from the privatization of water. This might lead to various problems as different water companies might charge different prices coursing the public to riot for a decrease in water price. The public however cannot pocket the price of water. Privatization is much efficient for these private companies as they are the ones who gain from this act leaving the public who pay for the water at a disadvantage. For these companies to reach there marked profit, they have to sell as many gallons of water as they possibly can.These companies no longer have the incentive to conserve water resources. This can lead to many implications in regard to the environment, economy, as well as other species that depend on water for survival. These companies pumping as fast the possible could thus coursing a scarce in water which could lead to a spike in water prices. Murray Dobbin. 'COUNTERPOINT: Water: right or commodity?" The National Post. February 8, 2001 - "In February, 1999, the World Bank told the mayor of Cochabamba that if the city did not privatize its water system it would not receive another cent of financial assistance for local water development. Then, after judging the resulting Misicuni privatization project financially unviable, the Bank proceeded to back it anyway, insisting on water pricing that would cover the excessive costs, and guarantee that Bechtel would earn a 16% profit. Water prices for many locals tripled, meaning some people were paying 20% of their income for water. In a scenario impossible to parody, people not even hooked up to the system were told that they would have to put metres on their private wells and pay Bechtel for the water they drew." {5} Source: 5} http://www.mindfully.org...