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Nestle CEO Says Water Is Food That Should Be Privatized

I can't make the same reach you are about Nestle's CEO or Nestle as a company and their objectives. I'm trying to find a position I can agree with. If the water is being controlled and it requires payment, then in theory it can be shut off. Whether it is a government entity or a private company, the water is still off without payment. Are you advocating that all water should be free? Just some of it? None of it? I can't tell.

Where I live, we can have a well. I think that is the way it should be. Government run, at least it's done at or near cost and they work with you if you have trouble for a while. Business run, nobody would have a chance. The moment you can't pay, they shut you off. It's very dangerous. I can grow food if I need to supplement my ability to eat, but I can't get to the water if some company prevents me from having a well because it bought the water rights. Plus, the environmentalists and the elites in this world have said that the number of people the earth can sustain long term is only 500 billion. I don't like the implications of that.... especially if they own all water rights.
 
This is ridiculous! Nestlé should not be able to privatize water. They didn't create the water, did they? It's not theirs! Resources like water should be distributed among the people.
 
Where I live, we can have a well. I think that is the way it should be. Government run, at least it's done at or near cost and they work with you if you have trouble for a while. Business run, nobody would have a chance. The moment you can't pay, they shut you off. It's very dangerous. I can grow food if I need to supplement my ability to eat, but I can't get to the water if some company prevents me from having a well because it bought the water rights. Plus, the environmentalists and the elites in this world have said that the number of people the earth can sustain long term is only 500 billion. I don't like the implications of that.... especially if they own all water rights.

You are assuming your own worst scenario for private water companies and have assumed the best scenario for municipal water companies. At some point both should be able to shut off your water if you don't pay your bills over a long enough period. Government can mandate that water can't be shut off until X months have passed without payment whether private or municipal.

Same conditions in at least many northern states when it comes to shutting off heat during the winter.

Municipalities can force you on to municipal water/sewer and can keep you from having your own well. If I lived closer to the street, they would have done the same to me. No option.

See my point?
 
You are assuming your own worst scenario for private water companies and have assumed the best scenario for municipal water companies. At some point both should be able to shut off your water if you don't pay your bills over a long enough period. Government can mandate that water can't be shut off until X months have passed without payment whether private or municipal.

Same conditions in at least many northern states when it comes to shutting off heat during the winter.

Municipalities can force you on to municipal water/sewer and can keep you from having your own well. If I lived closer to the street, they would have done the same to me. No option.

See my point?

Nestle charges $1.25 or more for 20 ounces of filtered municipal water.

The government charges .00001 that amount.

The choice is clear.
 
You are assuming your own worst scenario for private water companies and have assumed the best scenario for municipal water companies. At some point both should be able to shut off your water if you don't pay your bills over a long enough period. Government can mandate that water can't be shut off until X months have passed without payment whether private or municipal.

Same conditions in at least many northern states when it comes to shutting off heat during the winter.

Municipalities can force you on to municipal water/sewer and can keep you from having your own well. If I lived closer to the street, they would have done the same to me. No option.

See my point?




Realistically, private water will result in higher payments, high startup and restart fees, and an endless plethora of "charges"............... So, what's the upside again?.........................
 
You are assuming your own worst scenario for private water companies and have assumed the best scenario for municipal water companies. At some point both should be able to shut off your water if you don't pay your bills over a long enough period. Government can mandate that water can't be shut off until X months have passed without payment whether private or municipal.

Same conditions in at least many northern states when it comes to shutting off heat during the winter.

Municipalities can force you on to municipal water/sewer and can keep you from having your own well. If I lived closer to the street, they would have done the same to me. No option.

See my point?

Which is why I believe we should be able to use well water as opposed to municipal. I really only made an exclusion for cities because wells are impractical. You did not address the cost though. Have you looked at the price of bottled water? What do you think they would do if they owned all the water rights? At least with municipalities, if they made it too expensive, you could vote the idiots out of office and put someone else in charge. You can't do that with a corporation. They would just tell you to go dehydrate to death.
 
Which is why I believe we should be able to use well water as opposed to municipal. I really only made an exclusion for cities because wells are impractical. You did not address the cost though. Have you looked at the price of bottled water? What do you think they would do if they owned all the water rights? At least with municipalities, if they made it too expensive, you could vote the idiots out of office and put someone else in charge. You can't do that with a corporation. They would just tell you to go dehydrate to death.

You didn't answer the question. As for cost, you and others are comparing everything to the price of bottled water. Privately run water systems don't bottle water and you assume this because that is one product that Nestlé sells. Do you really make the reach that people are going to fill their bathtubs with bottled water. Have a bit of sense please.

I ask again, is there any point at which someone's water should be turned off for nonpayment--whether municipally run or private? Do you understand that government regulates private water and can still define the rules whether over themselves or private companies?

Finally, it isn't a private company forcing my neighbors to hook up to municipal water and sewer, it is the government. No choice, no discussion. Better pay your bill on time or eventually you will be cut off. Governments can do that whether you vote some individuals out or not.
 
Do you believe water is a basic human right? According to Nestlé CEO water is a foodstuff that should be privatized, not a human right. Nestlé CEO Peter Brabeck says that with the global population rising water is not a public right, but a resource that should be managed by businessmen. Please do share your thoughts.

Read more at Nestlé CEO Says Water Is Food That Should Be Privatized - Not A Human Right - American Live Wire*|*American Live Wire



makes sense really considering their history.

in the seventies they were branded as "The baby killer" because they aggressively marketed infant formula to people who had very little resources and who did not have access to clean water.

Back then, Nestlé's response was that their critics should focus on doing something to improve unsafe water supplies, which contributed to the health problems associated with bottle feeding. I spent 30 years doing just that in Mozambique, South Africa and elsewhere. So it was appropriate that water brought me together with Brabeck.

so they moved on to making water a marketable product:

I don't like the way companies such as Nestlé promote bottled water, turning one of life's essentials into a brand that only the better-off can afford and undermining the value of public supplies in the process.

The author of the article grudgingly acknowledges they are making a contribution to protecting water supplies ....

But I have to acknowledge Brabeck's efforts to get business and governments to work together to manage and protect the world's vital water resources.

Nestlé baby milk scandal has grown up but not gone away | Guardian Sustainable Business | Guardian Professional

and now we can see why!
 
I guess I would like a list of what everyone considers to be a basic human right. If I dig a well on my property then it is my water. If I grow a tomato then it is mine. How many objectors to what this guy said actually pay a water bill?


but if that well is sharing an aquifier with a multi-billion dollar conglomerate it is a potential hazard to the safety of the population that is their customers and you will have to close it up tight and buy your water from them. If you catch rain water, you're preventing this conglomerate from future sales, you're putting their profits in peril by not letting that aquifier replenish.

It has already happened.
 
The infrastructure and maintenance is paid for by tax money, not by Nestle. The materials and labor to put in the infrastructure was paid for by tax money, not by Nestle. The water you use in your home is paid for by you and brought to your home by tax money, not by Nestle. The water was / is in the ground or taken from a river. Nestle did not create the water in some chem lab or factory. Nestle CEO nor any other company has a claim to the water.

Water Rights..
 
You didn't answer the question. As for cost, you and others are comparing everything to the price of bottled water. Privately run water systems don't bottle water and you assume this because that is one product that Nestlé sells. Do you really make the reach that people are going to fill their bathtubs with bottled water. Have a bit of sense please.

I ask again, is there any point at which someone's water should be turned off for nonpayment--whether municipally run or private? Do you understand that government regulates private water and can still define the rules whether over themselves or private companies?

Finally, it isn't a private company forcing my neighbors to hook up to municipal water and sewer, it is the government. No choice, no discussion. Better pay your bill on time or eventually you will be cut off. Governments can do that whether you vote some individuals out or not.

I said that I don't like government ordered water or business regulated water. I said that cities were the exception because it's impossible for wells in the city. I also said that government is preferable to business because they aren't there to male a huge profit. Nestle wants to profit from this. We use "bottled" water as a reference because that is what business has today. They make a huge profit on it. Do you really believe they are going to be fair with their pricing if they control all of the water?!?!?!?!? Yeah, just like with gasoline. They just say "if you can't afford it, don't drive". They will be saying, "if you can't afford it, don't live!"

I know someone who works for DELCORA. They forced people onto the public water system and the public sewer system and it's managed by this business. Their water and sewer prices more than tripled and older residents were actually forced out of their homes because of this company. This is exactly what you are advocating for.
 
I said that I don't like government ordered water or business regulated water. I said that cities were the exception because it's impossible for wells in the city. I also said that government is preferable to business because they aren't there to male a huge profit. Nestle wants to profit from this. We use "bottled" water as a reference because that is what business has today. They make a huge profit on it. Do you really believe they are going to be fair with their pricing if they control all of the water?!?!?!?!? Yeah, just like with gasoline. They just say "if you can't afford it, don't drive". They will be saying, "if you can't afford it, don't live!"

I know someone who works for DELCORA. They forced people onto the public water system and the public sewer system and it's managed by this business. Their water and sewer prices more than tripled and older residents were actually forced out of their homes because of this company. This is exactly what you are advocating for.

I don't presume to tell you for what you are advocating, I would appreciate you not presuming for what I advocate.

You say that it is impossible for wells in the city because it is impossible. Based on what? Perhaps you are thinking New York or a large city rather than just "city".

You say that government is preferable to business because they aren't there to make a huge profit, yet what incentive do they to be efficient or even to not force those same people out of their homes because of water prices?

In the example you give, the government defined the parameters under which the water company can operate and yet when the water company operated under those parameters you blame the company. Where is the logic in that? Where was the sainted government protecting its citizens from the evil water company? What kind of shape was the system in when the municipality turned it over to this "business" to run? It's easy to look for blame, but it takes a bit longer to look for causes.

I repeat again, I'm advocating for government oversight of private water in terms of quality, performance metrics and profit margin. I don't want the government in business and I don't want business in government. Your only solution to a bad deal with government is to vote someone out, while my solution is to have penalty clauses that encourage private water businesses to be efficient and effective.

As for the Nestle's CEO, I didn't hear him proposing for Nestle's to move from consumer packaged goods into municipal water management. That sounds like a major strategic shift. Should water be managed? Sure, to some degree. People get cranky when they turn their faucet and clean water doesn't come out. They get even crankier when no water comes out.

And for the final time, I will ask my question again: "Is there any point at which someone's water should be turned off for nonpayment--whether municipally run or private?"
 
And for the final time, I will ask my question again: "Is there any point at which someone's water should be turned off for nonpayment--whether municipally run or private?"

Happens all the time. Usually after two or three payments are missed the water gets cut off.
 
I don't presume to tell you for what you are advocating, I would appreciate you not presuming for what I advocate.

You say that it is impossible for wells in the city because it is impossible. Based on what? Perhaps you are thinking New York or a large city rather than just "city".

You say that government is preferable to business because they aren't there to make a huge profit, yet what incentive do they to be efficient or even to not force those same people out of their homes because of water prices?

In the example you give, the government defined the parameters under which the water company can operate and yet when the water company operated under those parameters you blame the company. Where is the logic in that? Where was the sainted government protecting its citizens from the evil water company? What kind of shape was the system in when the municipality turned it over to this "business" to run? It's easy to look for blame, but it takes a bit longer to look for causes.

I repeat again, I'm advocating for government oversight of private water in terms of quality, performance metrics and profit margin. I don't want the government in business and I don't want business in government. Your only solution to a bad deal with government is to vote someone out, while my solution is to have penalty clauses that encourage private water businesses to be efficient and effective.

As for the Nestle's CEO, I didn't hear him proposing for Nestle's to move from consumer packaged goods into municipal water management. That sounds like a major strategic shift. Should water be managed? Sure, to some degree. People get cranky when they turn their faucet and clean water doesn't come out. They get even crankier when no water comes out.

And for the final time, I will ask my question again: "Is there any point at which someone's water should be turned off for nonpayment--whether municipally run or private?"

You are advocating for business run water supply. That's what this thread is about and you are arguing for business control of water rights. therefore, you are advocating our water rights be given to business.

You don't listen/ read very well. I DON"T LIKE EITHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I was talking major metropolitan areas. My town of 2500 people is on water supplied by 3 wells. Our town is self sufficient. My water costs are also well below average for the country. We also have our own power company and our power is only 13 cents per kilowatt hour! If you can't understand that business charges more for water than government does, well, I'm sorry about that. If it were possible, I would that every person in the country could have a private well to control their own water. I also have my own filtering system at home. One that can purify sewage into drinkable water. I got that because the towns well got contaminated a couple years ago and I didn't find out until 12 hours later. But, if I were to get cut off, I can purify rain or stream water to supply it for my family. I will never allow myself to get cut off by government or business again! You go on believing that Nestle will be fair once they own the water rights. I will watch as people thirst to death because of people like you.
 
Interestingly the nestle water dispenser in our office (which I refuse to use) says "Pure Life." Apparently, nestle wants to privatize our ability to live. Water is a necessity that you should be provided by government or community cooperatives, not by profiteers.
 
You are advocating for business run water supply. That's what this thread is about and you are arguing for business control of water rights. therefore, you are advocating our water rights be given to business.

You don't listen/ read very well. I DON"T LIKE EITHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I was talking major metropolitan areas. My town of 2500 people is on water supplied by 3 wells. Our town is self sufficient. My water costs are also well below average for the country. We also have our own power company and our power is only 13 cents per kilowatt hour! If you can't understand that business charges more for water than government does, well, I'm sorry about that. If it were possible, I would that every person in the country could have a private well to control their own water. I also have my own filtering system at home. One that can purify sewage into drinkable water. I got that because the towns well got contaminated a couple years ago and I didn't find out until 12 hours later. But, if I were to get cut off, I can purify rain or stream water to supply it for my family. I will never allow myself to get cut off by government or business again! You go on believing that Nestle will be fair once they own the water rights. I will watch as people thirst to death because of people like you.

You are being dense or obtuse. I have consistently advocated for government control of water under the operation of business conforming to government standards. Anything else you think I'm saying is your own strawman.
I've asked you three times a question you have refused to answer about non payment for water regardless who is in control and whether anyone should be cut off.

Go back to arguing with yourself, I'd rather not join in.
 
You are being dense or obtuse. I have consistently advocated for government control of water under the operation of business conforming to government standards. Anything else you think I'm saying is your own strawman.
I've asked you three times a question you have refused to answer about non payment for water regardless who is in control and whether anyone should be cut off.

Go back to arguing with yourself, I'd rather not join in.

Like I said, NO nobody should ever be denied what should rightly belong to the public! No man should be able to put another's life in peril for money. That is why I have a way to purify my own water. No man is ever going to my family it has to die...Including people like you who want to strong arm people into submission to government and industry.

IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YA?
 
A business providing water is no different than a government doing it--they both are making money off you.
 
You are being dense or obtuse. I have consistently advocated for government control of water under the operation of business conforming to government standards. Anything else you think I'm saying is your own strawman.
I've asked you three times a question you have refused to answer about non payment for water regardless who is in control and whether anyone should be cut off.

Go back to arguing with yourself, I'd rather not join in.

So government controls the resource, sets the rules and decides profit. Sounds just like government run except there is a needles middlemen profiting.
 
A business providing water is no different than a government doing it--they both are making money off you.

Except business will charge as much as the market will bear. Government will only charge what it can and still get re-elected. That could be a big difference. In our area, when business get in the middle, water and sewer rates tripled.
 
Except business will charge as much as the market will bear. Government will only charge what it can and still get re-elected. That could be a big difference. In our area, when business get in the middle, water and sewer rates tripled.

Well my local government has informed us they will be raising the water rates significantly because consumption is supposedly down and costs are up.
 
Well my local government has informed us they will be raising the water rates significantly because consumption is supposedly down and costs are up.

So then, I would vote those people out. When we start realizing that we, the voter, have some power, things will change. Personally, I believe that water should just be provided, by well, if possible. But it is so essential to life, no politician or businessman should have that power.
 
So government controls the resource, sets the rules and decides profit. Sounds just like government run except there is a needles middlemen profiting.

If you think that government does a good job, that I can see how you would think that. I don't like people setting the rules and then following the same rules they set. I don't trust government that much.
 
Like I said, NO nobody should ever be denied what should rightly belong to the public! No man should be able to put another's life in peril for money. That is why I have a way to purify my own water. No man is ever going to my family it has to die...Including people like you who want to strong arm people into submission to government and industry.

IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YA?

Your philosophy is clear, your implementation is not. Most people in this country are subject to some kind of regulation of water whether it is in the West and Southwest where government gets to decide whether you can collect rainwater on your own property all in the name of the common good. That area of the country has a long history of water management challenges which is also why there are so many dams in that part of the country.

Whether it is government or industry, if you don't pay your water bill, your water is going to be shut off. I didn't invent it, that's the environment as it is today. And since government through zoning can control how much water is taken from your well or your community decides that you use to much from the common well, then you will conform to the community because they have the strength of law behind them.

Have a nice day.
 
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