Privatisation of Water Systems rejected - the Precendence of Italy

Past weekend (12./13. June 2011) the Italians were asked to vote on, among others, the privatisation of the public water systems. The rejection was overwhelmingly with 96% voting against it [1], [2]. Now it is in question what this result implies for Europe and the rest of the world, respectively. Are private investors per se excluded from investing in water systems? Is the reputation of "private investors" that dubious - and if yes, why? - that the public society is not willing to give such persons/institutions "access" to the so far public water business? Who actually would be able to invest sustainably into the water business, etc. [3], [4], [5]? On the other hand, the referendum past weekend in Italy shows also how sensitive the issue of sustainable and safe water supply is, that the broad public is truly sensitised for this issue and finally, it is more than obvious that "water business" promises a profitable long-term business for the benefit of the "owner" of the business. A distinct question remains: How do we deal with this issue in the future?

References: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]


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