Does privatising water make us sick

Water is vital for life and development. It is one of the world's greatest renewable resources and is a natural monopoly essential to health and wellbeing. This paper examines three broad issues pertaining to the ownership and control of drinking water: (1) the transnational privatisation of water; (2) the 'profitable' use and management of water; and (3) toxic delivery systems and the threat to health. The paper concludes with reflections on the need for transparency, public accountability and democratic control over drinking water. (author abstract)