International Water Companies

Prepared by Anton Earle, September 2001

Introduction

The past decade has seen the growth of a new phenomenon - the international water company.  With the increasing privatisation of water services, either through the outright acquisition of water related infrastructure or through concession contracts, several companies have been engaged in aggressive growth programmes aimed at ensuring increasing global market share and increased shareholder profits derived from the business of providing water services.  This section of The Water Page provides an overview of the current status of international water companies and gives an insight into some of the current debates related to privatisation, regulation, the urban/rural divide and globalisation.

The phenomenon of the international water company is not welcomed by all.  There are those who are very strong and powerful proponents of the involvement of the private sector, who advocate deregulation and the opening of markets, and there are those who regard the phenomenon with grave concerns as opening vast numbers of people to further exploitation.  Different opinions are given expressed in the section.

Facts and figures

Seven sets of information are provided below.  They are provided to give a "snap shot" of the current situation.  All of the information has been derived from official documents (latest Annual Reports etc.), most of which have been accessed via the Internet.  The information is provided in graphic of table form and includes the following:-

Private Water Companies - where do they operate?
Companies operating water & sewerage services outside of their home countries

International Water Companies on the Continents

* Excluding France and UK
Source: Vivendi (1999)

Who supplies the water
The number of people served - water supply and sanitation (Millions)