Trends in Water Privatization (Fact Sheet)

The Post-Recession Economy and the Fight for Public Water in the United States. A new wave of water privatization formed in the wake of the recent financial crisis. With municipal budgets in the red, various cities and towns across the country considered auctioning off their water and sewer systems to generate funds. But the sale or lease of water assets is not a smart way to balance budgets. Privatization could further weaken public finances, jeopardize water resources, and saddle generations of consumers with debt.