In 2013 Nestle bottled millions of litres of water
in Canada. According to reports they also drained rural towns of water in the
United States. News about what Nestle has done is nothing new, journalists have discussed it
for years. At the same time a new focus has arisen due to passionate editorials from
some writers.
How would this rush start? Privatization would move in with the help of the World Bank. According to reports from a
number of
sites this organization and affiliates have offered funds and aid to countries which want a private setup for their water. Once countries have moved into this field larger corporations could come in to compete as well.
Nestle is doing this, along with other companies, because water is factually
highly profitable. Buyers in developed countries spend billions each year in
this industry.
Officials at Nestle have caught the most flack for their practices in part due to the events and in part due to comments by
their CEO. Since then Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe has made
another statement and launched a marketing campaign to repair their reputation.
On the other side of the issue Nestle, based in Europe, has actually been quite active in protecting the
waters there. As for evidence that they have done the same
Coca-Cola and other manufacturers have also been cited as part of the problem as well. NPR investigators report that companies launched advertising campaigns to
discourage drinkers from just using tap water. Following the documentaries and investigations in North America about them draining areas dry they turned their attention to improving the
situation there. Company authorities also deny that their operations in Pakistan have an impact
on groundwater.
Public interest groups and people have
taken exception to companies moving into Pakistan for water as well. Many groups now see this as a conflict between the interests of people versus those of business and are calling for action
from activists.
