Unveiling the Mechanisms of The Water Mafia - Corporate and Government Control of Water to Manipulate People Despite Its Free Availability.
14 May 2023 | Imran Siddiqui | Justice News | Washington D.C.
Water, a fundamental resource for sustaining life, is accessible to all, naturally and freely. However, the management and distribution of this precious resource often fall under the influence of corporations and governments, enabling them to wield significant control over individuals and communities.
Water Thieves
In this report I'd like to share with you the methods employed by certain entities to exploit water's availability and regulate its access, ultimately exerting power over populations. Various real-world examples highlight the complex interplay between corporate interests, governmental policies, and the consequences for people.
Privatization of Water Resources:
Corporations engage in the privatization of water resources, transforming a public good into a marketable commodity. This process allows them to monopolize water supply and distribution, controlling its availability and pricing. One prominent example is the case of Nestlé, which operates numerous bottled water brands worldwide. Nestlé has faced criticism for bottling and selling water from public sources, such as springs and groundwater reserves, often paying nominal fees for massive extraction while reaping substantial profits.
Governmental Regulations and Legislation:
Governments play a crucial role in water management through regulatory frameworks and legislation. However, these regulations can be shaped by corporate interests, leading to policies that favor certain companies or industries. For instance, hydraulic fracturing (fracking), despite the harm to the environment, has revolutionized the oil and gas industry but requires vast amounts of water. In regions where fracking is prevalent, governments may prioritize the industry's water needs over those of local communities, potentially causing water scarcity for residents. It can also cause air and or water pollution due to the toxic chemicals used in the process of hydraulic fracturing.
Control of Water Infrastructure:
Infrastructure control grants entities significant power over water distribution systems. Private corporations, such as Veolia and Suez, have established a dominant presence in water management services worldwide. These corporations often enter into public-private partnerships (PPPs) with governments to build and operate water infrastructure. While this approach promises efficiency, it can also result in high prices, inadequate service quality, and limited accountability to the public.
Manipulation of Water Rights and Permits:
Water rights and permits determine who can access and use water resources. Corporations with significant financial resources can exploit legal systems to secure preferential treatment. For example, in certain regions, agribusinesses have acquired vast water rights, allowing them to divert water for irrigation purposes, thereby depleting water sources for local communities or ecosystems.
Bottled Water Industry:
The bottled water industry thrives on creating the perception that its products are safer or of higher quality than tap water. Corporations capitalize on this notion, promoting bottled water as a necessity, even in areas with clean and accessible tap water. The excessive consumption of bottled water not only contributes to plastic waste but also perpetuates the control corporations exert over water sources.
While water remains freely available in nature, the control exerted by corporations and governments over its management and distribution poses a significant challenge to ensuring equitable access for all. Privatization, regulatory influence, infrastructure control, manipulation of rights, and the bottled water industry exemplify the tactics employed to maintain control. Recognizing these mechanisms is crucial for empowering communities, fostering sustainable water management, and safeguarding the universal right to this vital resource. Efforts to promote transparency, public participation, and responsible governance are essential in creating a future where water is accessible to all without manipulation or undue control.
How Can The People Take Back Control of Their Water From Corporations and Governments When Water Is Available Free For All To Use?
Reclaiming Control - Empowering People in the Management of Water Resources.
Strengthening Community Participation:
Raise awareness: Educate communities about their water rights, the importance of sustainable water management, and the potential consequences of corporate and governmental control.
Foster grassroots movements: Encourage the formation of community-led organizations and initiatives that advocate for transparent and inclusive decision-making processes regarding water resources.
Participatory governance: Push for the inclusion of community representatives in water management bodies and decision-making processes, ensuring that local voices are heard and considered.
Promoting Public-Common Partnerships:
Establish public-common partnerships: Advocate for collaborative models where communities, local governments, and civil society organizations work together to manage and protect water resources.
Community-based water systems: Encourage the development of community-owned and -operated water systems, ensuring that decisions about water management and distribution are made collectively and in the best interest of the community.
Implementing Sustainable Water Practices:
Conservation and efficiency: Promote water conservation practices and the adoption of efficient technologies at both the individual and community levels to reduce water abuse and minimize waste.
Rainwater harvesting and decentralized solutions: Encourage the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems and decentralized water treatment solutions to reduce reliance on centralized infrastructure and promote local water self-sufficiency.
Legal and Policy Reforms:
Lobby for supportive legislation: Advocate for legislation that protects water as a common resource, prevents water privatization, and promotes community participation in decision-making processes.
Transparency and accountability: Push for greater transparency in water management, including public access to information on water sources, usage, and permits. Demand accountability from both corporations and governments in their management of water resources.
Supporting Alternative Models:
Cooperatives and social enterprises: Promote the establishment of water cooperatives and social enterprises that prioritize community well-being over profit and ensure equitable access to water resources.
Public investment in water infrastructure: Advocate for increased public investment in sustainable and resilient water infrastructure, reducing dependence on private companies and ensuring long-term public control.
Benchmarks:
The Blue Communities Project: Initiated by the Council of Canadians, this project encourages communities to adopt resolutions recognizing water as a human right, promoting publicly owned and operated water services, and banning the sale of bottled water at municipal facilities.
The Cochabamba Water War: In Bolivia, a grassroots movement successfully resisted water privatization efforts by multinational corporations in Cochabamba. Citizens organized protests and blockades, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the privatization contract and the return of water control to the public.
By empowering communities, fostering sustainable practices, advocating for policy reforms, and supporting alternative models, people can reclaim control over their water resources from corporations and governments, ensuring equitable access and long-term stewardship.
Understanding The Importance Of Pure Clean Water to live a healthly life as a basic need for your Survival.
Water is one of the most precious resources on earth and is essential for the survival of all living beings. Access to clean water is a basic human right, yet, sadly, it is not available to everyone even in places where it is abundant.
I won't even get into the water injustices in the US, because they are one of the richest nations in the world, and yet they horde and delude their people by either giving them dirty water or extorting huge sums of money just to give their own people water to drink and bathe with what is available for free.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and more than 4.2 billion people lack access to safe sanitation facilities. The lack of clean water has far-reaching consequences for public health, education, and economic development.
The Significance Of Clean Water For Our Existence.
Clean water is vital for human survival and is essential for maintaining good health. Drinking contaminated water can lead to a range of illnesses, from diarrhea to cholera, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A. These diseases are often fatal, particularly in post-colonized countries, where access to healthcare and sanitation is limited, in many cases, by design.
Contaminated water can also cause malnutrition and stunted growth in children, which can have long-term effects on their physical and mental development. Similarly, water is necessary for hygiene and sanitation. Without clean water, people cannot maintain proper hygiene or access adequate sanitation facilities. This can lead to the spread of diseases, particularly in crowded areas like schools, hospitals, malls, airports, hotels, and refugee camps. Lack of access to clean water can also lead to poor agricultural productivity and food security, as farmers cannot irrigate their crops or provide water to their livestock.
Water as a Weapon Against People
Water has been used as a weapon against people in many countries around the world. In some cases, governments have used water as a means of control or to punish people. For example, during the apartheid era in South Africa, the government restricted access to water in black townships, forcing people to use contaminated sources or buy water at inflated prices.
In some cases, water was used to suppress political dissent. For instance, in Syria, the government has cut off water supplies to opposition-held areas as a tactic of war.
In other cases, armed groups have used water as a weapon to control populations or gain political leverage. For example, in Iraq, ISIS controlled the Mosul Dam, which supplies water and electricity to millions of people. They used the dam as leverage to gain concessions from the government and to threaten the population with water shortages.
Similarly, in Yemen, Houthi rebels have used water as a weapon of war by targeting water infrastructure and cutting off supplies to areas under government control, and the other side has been accused of deploying the same kind of tactics.
Clean water is essential for human survival, and the lack of access to it has far-reaching consequences for public health, education, and economic development. Governments and armed groups should not use water as a weapon against people, as it violates basic human rights and causes unnecessary suffering. The international community must work together to ensure that everyone has access to clean water and sanitation facilities and to prevent water from being used as a means of control or as a tool of war.
The Injustice Of Water is mostly Against Those Who Don't Even Have Access To It
For those who live in the colonized world, the so-called, developed world, you can't even imagine life without clean water but in many parts of the world - particularly those that were once colonized by the European conquistadors then they cut those parts into separate pieces and abandoned them to be remotely controlled and manipulated - people in such parts of the world lack access to any kind of water, let alone safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, leading to a range of injustices and violations of human rights.
Health Injustices -
One of the most significant injustices of not having access to clean water is the impact it has on people's health. Drinking contaminated water can lead to a range of illnesses, such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A.
These diseases are oftentimes fatal, particularly in more impoverished countries, where access to healthcare and sanitation is limited. Additionally, contaminated water can also cause malnutrition and undersized growth in children, and have long-term effects on their physical and mental development.
For instance, in many parts of Africa, children often have to walk long distances to fetch water from contaminated sources. This water is often shared with animals and contains high levels of bacteria and viruses, leading to waterborne illnesses that can be deadly. In some cases, children miss learning opportunities because they are too sick to go anywhere or have to spend most hours collecting water, leaving them no time for anything else.
Social Injustices -
The lack of access to clean water can also lead to social injustices. Women and girls are often the ones responsible for collecting water, which can take hours each day. This leaves them with little time for education, work, or other activities. Additionally, women and girls are often subjected to sexual harassment or assault while collecting water, making it an extremely dangerous task.
In many parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, women and girls have to walk long distances to collect water, often at great risk to their own safety and of their families.
The injustices faced by people who don't have access to clean water are multifaceted and can have far-reaching consequences for their health, education, and economic opportunities.
Health Injustices: Lack of access to clean water can lead to life-threatening waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery. These diseases are often fatal, particularly in the so-called developing countries, remnants of failed experiments of colonizing other countries, where access to healthcare in a post-colonial world is completely biased. In Haiti, a cholera outbreak in 2010 killed over 10,000 people and sickened hundreds of thousands more. The outbreak was linked to contaminated water sources and poor sanitation facilities.
Educational Injustices: Children who don't have access to clean water may be forced to miss out on learning new skills or receive education opportunities due to illness or because they are required to collect water for their families. This can lead to poor academic performance and lower educational opportunities. In some cases, girls may be kept out of school altogether due to a lack of sanitation facilities, such as separate toilets, or are forced to work harder on water chores compared to boys.
Economic Injustices: Lack of access to clean water can also have economic consequences, particularly for farmers who rely on water for irrigation. In many countries, farmers may have to rely on rain-fed agriculture, which is more susceptible to drought and weather changes. This can lead to poor agricultural productivity and food insecurity. Additionally, in some countries, people may have to pay high prices for water, which can be a significant financial burden for low-income households and families that are struggling to make ends meet.
Social Injustices: Women and girls are often disproportionately affected by the lack of access to clean water, as they are often responsible for collecting water for their families. In some cases, they may have to walk long distances to collect water, which can put them at risk of physical harm or sexual assault. Additionally, in some countries, women may be excluded from water management decisions, which can perpetuate gender bias leading to inequalities and isolation.
Environmental Injustices: Lack of access to clean water can also have negative environmental consequences, such as over-extraction of groundwater or pollution of water sources. These environmental issues can further exacerbate the injustices faced by marginalized communities and by the people in rural areas that rely on natural water sources.
The injustices faced by people who don't have access to clean water are numerous and can have far-reaching consequences for their health, education, and economic opportunities. Addressing these injustices requires a multifaceted approach that involves improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities, ensuring the development of water infrastructure, acknowledging and fixing the prejudices against women in water management, and addressing environmental issues. By doing so, we can help to ensure that everyone has access to this essential resource and promote a more just and equitable world.
Access to clean water is a basic human right, and yet millions of people around the world are denied this fundamental resource. Lack of access to clean water leads to a range of injustices and extremely negative consequences that disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable populations.
How Can nations Help Their People and Implement Measures That Provide Easy Access To Clean Drinking Water For everyone?
Countries can take several measures to ensure that their people have access to clean and pure water. Here are some ways, along with real-life scenarios and examples, where countries have helped their people by implementing measures that provide easy access to clean water for everyone.
Improve Infrastructure:
One way countries can ensure access to clean water is by improving water infrastructure. This includes the construction and maintenance of water treatment facilities, water storage tanks, and distribution systems. For example, in Rwanda, the government invested in building water treatment plants and pipes to supply clean water to rural areas. This infrastructure has provided over 90% of the population with access to clean water.
Implement Water Conservation Practices:
Water conservation practices can help ensure that water is used efficiently and sustainably. This includes measures such as rainwater harvesting, using drought-resistant crops, and implementing water-saving technologies. For instance, in Kenya, farmers are using a water-efficient irrigation system called drip irrigation. This system delivers water directly to the roots of the plants, reducing water waste and improving crop yields.
Promote Community-Led Initiatives:
Community-led initiatives can help ensure that water resources are managed sustainably and that everyone has access to clean water. This includes community-based water management committees, water user associations, and community health workers. In Ethiopia, the government worked with local communities to create water management committees that oversee the maintenance and repair of water infrastructure.
Invest in Education and Awareness:
Education and awareness campaigns can help promote good hygiene practices and increase awareness of the importance of clean water. This includes education programs for children in schools and campaigns to promote safe water practices in communities. For example, in Uganda, a hygiene education program taught children in schools about the importance of handwashing, and how to collect and store clean water.
Provide Subsidies for Water Access:
Governments can also provide sponsorships for water access to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable populations have access to clean water. This can be done by cutting down the hurdles to apply for such services. For example, in South Africa, the government provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of water services for struggling families.
Ensuring access to clean and pure water is essential for promoting good health, reducing poverty, and achieving sustainable development. Countries can take several measures to ensure that their people have access to clean water, including improving water infrastructure, implementing water conservation practices, promoting community-led initiatives, investing in education and awareness, and providing subsidies for water access. By taking these steps, countries can help ensure that everyone has access to this fundamental resource, which is essential for human survival and well-being.
How can multinational and local companies, working together with the leadership of a country and the private sector, play a positive role in providing easy access of clean water to villages, towns, and cities and fulfill their corporate social responsibility?
Multinational and local companies, as well as the private sector, can play a crucial role in providing access to clean water in towns, villages, and cities. By investing in water-related infrastructure and technology, they can fulfill their social responsibility while also benefiting their business operations. Here are some of the ways in which companies can work with national leadership to provide access to clean water for their people.
Collaborating with local authorities:
Companies can work with local authorities to improve water infrastructure and supply systems. For example, Coca-Cola has partnered with the government of Tanzania to provide clean water to over 300,000 people in the country. Through this partnership, the company has helped to build water supply systems, rehabilitate boreholes, and support water conservation efforts.
Supporting water conservation and management initiatives:
Companies can support water conservation and management initiatives to reduce water usage and improve the efficiency of water use. For example, Nestle has implemented water conservation initiatives in its factories, which have helped to reduce water usage by over 35% in the past decade.
Developing innovative water treatment technologies:
Companies can develop innovative water treatment technologies to improve water quality and make it more accessible to people. For example, IBM has developed a water management system that uses sensors and analytics to monitor water usage and identify leaks in the system. This system has been implemented in several cities in India and has helped to reduce water waste by up to 20%.
Supporting community-led water projects:
Companies can support community-led water projects that provide access to clean water in rural areas. For example, Coca-Cola has worked with local communities in Ethiopia to rehabilitate wells and improve access to clean water. The company has also provided training to community members on how to maintain and manage water supply systems.
Investing in education and awareness campaigns:
Companies can invest in education and awareness campaigns to promote good hygiene practices and increase awareness of clean water and sanitation. Companies can collaborate with local authorities to improve water infrastructure and supply systems using talent from local colleges and universities. They can invest in building new water treatment plants, pipes, and distribution systems to increase the supply of clean water. Collaborating with the government also helps companies to identify the areas where the need for clean water is most critical. For example, Unilever has teamed up with the government of India to organize water and sanitation awareness campaigns and provide access to clean water and sanitation facilities to over 12 million people across the country.
By working together as a collective consortium for good, organizations can help to implement long-term solutions that benefit both the community and the company.
What Role Can Solar Energy Play In Harnessing And Distributing Clean Water To The People For Free?
Solar energy can play a paramount role in harnessing and distributing clean water to people around the world. By using solar energy to power water treatment and distribution systems, communities can access clean, safe, and affordable water without relying on expensive and unreliable grid electricity.
Here are some ways in which solar energy can be used to provide clean water to people across the country:
Solar-powered water pumps:
Solar-powered water pumps can be used to extract water from underground sources and distribute it to communities. These pumps are cost-effective and easy to install, making them an ideal solution for communities that lack access to electricity. For example, in the rural areas of West Africa, organizations such as WaterAid are using solar-powered pumps to provide clean water to communities.
Solar-powered desalination:
Desalination is the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to make it drinkable. Solar-powered desalination plants can use the energy from the sun to power the desalination process, making it a sustainable and cost-effective way to provide clean water to coastal communities. For example, in Chile, a solar-powered desalination plant was built to provide clean water to a community of 1,700 people in the Atacama Desert.
Solar-powered water treatment systems:
Solar-powered water treatment systems can be used to purify water from sources such as rivers, lakes, and wells. These systems use solar energy to power the pumps, filters, and disinfection units that remove contaminants from the water. For example, in India, a nonprofit organization called Sarvajal has developed a solar-powered water filtration ATM system that can provide clean water to communities of up to 3,000 people.
Solar-powered water kiosks:
Solar-powered water kiosks can be set up in areas where there is no access to clean water. These kiosks use solar energy to purify water and distribute it to communities in need. For example, in Kenya, a social enterprise called GivePower has built a solar-powered water kiosk that provides clean water to a community of 3,500 people.
Solar energy has the potential to provide clean water to communities around the world, particularly in areas that lack access to electricity. By investing in solar-powered water treatment and distribution systems, communities can gain access to safe and affordable water, which is crucial for their health and their well-being.
What is The Best Technology To Harness And Distribute Clean Water To Human Beings?
There is no one-size-fits-all technology when it comes to harnessing and distributing clean water
to human beings. The best technology will depend on a range of factors, including the source of the water, the location and infrastructure of the community, and the specific water treatment and distribution needs of the community. Here are some examples of technologies that can be effective in providing clean water to communities:
Gravity-fed water systems:
Gravity-fed water systems are a simple and effective way to distribute clean water to communities. These systems rely on the force of gravity to move water from a higher-elevation source, such as a spring or river, to a lower-elevation community. Gravity-fed systems are cost-effective and easy to maintain, making them a popular choice in rural areas. For example, in Nepal, gravity-fed water systems have been installed in remote mountain villages to provide clean water to communities.
Reverse osmosis water treatment:
Reverse osmosis is a water treatment technology that removes impurities from water by forcing it through a membrane. Reverse osmosis systems are effective in removing a range of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and minerals. Reverse osmosis systems can be powered by electricity or solar energy, and are often used in areas where water sources are contaminated or brackish. For example, in parts of Mexico, reverse osmosis systems have been installed to treat brackish groundwater and provide clean drinking water to communities.
Ultraviolet water disinfection:
Ultraviolet water disinfection is a technology that uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses in water. This technology is effective in destroying harmful microorganisms and is often used in combination with other water treatment methods. Ultraviolet water disinfection systems are easy to install and require minimal maintenance, making them a popular choice for small-scale water treatment systems. For example, in Kenya, ultraviolet water disinfection systems have been installed in schools and health centers to provide clean water to students and patients.
Solar-powered water treatment and distribution:
As mentioned earlier, solar-powered water treatment and distribution systems can be a sustainable and cost-effective way to provide clean water to communities. These systems use solar energy to power pumps, filters, and disinfection units, making them ideal for areas without access to electricity. For example, in India, solar-powered water treatment and distribution systems have been installed in rural communities to provide clean water to households.
The best technology to use for harnessing and distributing clean water will depend on a range of factors, including the location and infrastructure of the community, the specific water treatment needs of the community, and the availability of resources such as electricity and funding. A combination of different technologies and approaches may be needed to provide clean water to communities, depending on their specific needs and circumstances.
Keeping All Of The Above In View, What Would Be The Most Ideal Option To get Clean Water?
It's difficult to determine a single "most ideal" option for providing clean water to communities as it depends on various factors such as location, infrastructure, and specific water treatment needs. The ideal option may vary from community to community and could involve a combination of different technologies and approaches.
However, some general considerations when determining the ideal option could include factors such as sustainability, affordability, scalability, and accessibility. A sustainable option would be one that is environmentally friendly and can be maintained over the long term. An affordable option would be one that is cost-effective and can be implemented within the budget constraints of the community. A scalable option would be one that can be easily expanded to accommodate the growing needs of the community. An accessible option would be one that is easily available and convenient for the community to use.
Ultimately, the most ideal option would depend on the specific circumstances of the community and would require careful consideration and collaboration with experts in the field of water treatment and distribution. With all this said, in order for these projects to be successful, the citizens, the organizations, and the governments must come to a consensus that a community-based approach that involves input and participation from community members would be highly beneficial in determining the most appropriate option for providing clean water for the people to address their fundamental human need, which is simply to have the already available, pure, fresh drinking water for themselves and their families.
| Imran Siddiqui is the managing editor at Justice News and the author of The JBlog. Imran's podcast FairPlay Challenging Wrongful Convictions airs on J107Justice Radio