United Kingdom

Just stumbled upon this:

Academic calls for upgrade to sewage systems to protect health

The risk to public health from human faeces in our [UK] rivers and seas will increase without action to create a wastewater system fit for the future, according to Professor Barbara Evans, Leeds’ Professor of Public Health Engineering at the University of Leeds.

The report [led by Professor Evans]says collective action by industry, government, public bodies and the general public is required. It makes 15 recommendations, including: review current bathing water regulations; prioritise maintenance of the existing sewage network; return to collecting widespread data on faecal bacteria; develop a long-term strategy for better designing cities to reduce flooding, and the appointment of a dedicated wastewater champion.

Here is the report (pdf).

Privatise profit socialise loss

How do you go bankrupt selling a life essential that falls out of the sky for free?

Here's a fun thought - push a law through demanding a minimal level of service with forced nationalisation at the cost of the shareholders if it isn't met (government pays share price, but proceeds go towards settling company debt first rather than being paid out to shareholders).

Give them a way to fail that doesn't hurt the people who rely on the services, and punish running up unsustainable debt in one joyous law.

Ah good, so my bill will rise and then my landlord will up the rents to cover whatever water shit she has to pay too. Brill. Love this Cuntry.

If it was a real private market they'd let the firm fail and the investors would take a haircut. Then either someone who could turn a profit while running a decent/affordable service would take over; or the govt would.

We're stuck in the worst of both worlds where it's a privatised monopoly which is unable to fail.

Water companies have been heavily criticised for widespread leaks and the amount of sewage being discharged, which critics have blamed on under-investment in the country's infrastructure.

...

Southern Water is owned by Australian firm Macquarie which has faced fierce criticism for the period when it was Thames Water’s biggest shareholder.

In five of the 10 years it owned Thames, the company paid out more in dividends than it made in profits, while debt rose from £2.5bn to over £10bn in the same period.

"Mum, I need money to repair my bike."

"We gave you money to repair your bike."

"Oh I spent it on sweets for me and my mates."

Up next the air and the Sun... peasant you gonna pay for fucking shitting here soon too... per each use 😜

Final stage: you pay some money changer for the right to sleep with your wife!