Water Privatization

In recent years , private companies have taken over municipal water supplies in a number of poor countries. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are accused of forcing countries with large debt loads to allow this in exchange for loans.

In late 1999, an American multinational corporation called Bechtel was given a 40-year contract to increase the water supplies and services of Cochabamba, Bolivia, a city of 600,000.

Shortly after taking over, the company raised the water rates substantially. Many people had to choose between feeding their families and paying their water bill.