Crooked water deals exploit the poor around the world

[marmar]

Published on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 by the Inter Press Service
Dirty Water Deals Cheat the Poor
by Thalif Deen

Expressing concern over the "pervasiveness of corruption" in the management of water, a coalition of six international non-governmental organisations has created a new global anti-corruption watchdog body: the Water Integrity Network (WIN).

Launched Tuesday during "World Water Week" in the Swedish capital, the network vows to root out unethical behaviour by promoting good governance and transparency in the water sector.

"At a time when we are talking about increasing investments to expand water supplies and water resources, we also have indications that about 25 to 30 percent of state budgets on water investments are lost due to corruption," Hakan Tropp, WIN's interim chair, told IPS.

This is only an average figure, he pointed out, but the numbers could vary from country to country -- going lower or higher depending on the degree of corruption and mismanagement.

The six groups that have joined hands to fight corruption in water management include the Stockholm International Water Institute, Transparency International, Swedish Water House, the International Water and Sanitation Centre, Water and Sanitation Programme- Africa and AquaFed.

The network's mandate will include diagnosing problems, proposing solutions, building capacity and monitoring progress. It will coordinate with civil society, public and private sectors, and with news media and governments.

The rest is at: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0823-02.htm

[acmavm]

1. Water. The most vital resource on earth. And one that we're

running out of.

This network just may be one of the most important watchdog's on the planet.

[alfredo]

2. Help us fight RWE. They own our water and we want it back.

This November we are voting for the right to buy the water company. We are also working to elect city council members who put our city above the profits of this multinational.
RWE wants to sell their water works, but refuses to sell to us.

Here's how you can contact them and help.

http://www.bluegrassflow.org/

If you want to help our local DFA chapter who is spearheading the city council races, go here:

http://www.changeforkentucky.com/

also read this link:

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/rwe

thank you.

[marmar]

3. Very interesting...

I'll definitely do what I can do.

[alfredo]

5. Thank you.

We are in a fight with a very amoral corporation.

[shanti]

4. if you have world link tv

you should check out the program about coca cola and india with regard to the water supply. very eye opening.