Privatization
will mean loss of local control for Novato and
profits will leave our community.
Communities across the Bay Area, the
state, and the country have been rapidly leaving
privatization and returning to full public control because it has
been harmful for their communities! Recent returns to public
control include Petaluma and Fairfield-Suisun. This is a
fight that can be won, citizens of Stockton coalesced into
the Concerned Citizens Coalition of Stockton and
successfully fought off the large conglomerate, OMI-Thames,
and their own mayor to retain full control of their wastewater
and water this year.
Residents who have
regularly attended NSD
Board meetings have
never been allowed an
appropriate public
process to discuss the
issue of privatization
and its impact on
Novatoans.
Additionally
residents have
repeatedly requested an
independent review panel
to evaluate and analyze
the District’s report
that justifies the
privatization option.
Their requests
have had no sincere
responses.
One board member
even inquired with their attorney as to whether or
not the board even had to listen to public comment. There is a
complete and total lack of transparency.
While claiming they are investigating all options for
running the new plant, NSD has launched a PR campaign with
mailings and websites touting the superiority of the
privatization option.
The privatization of water utilities or services has generated:
- Concerns about:
- Implications for water quality, environmental
values, public health, and local job security;
- Requirements for adequate contract supervision;
- Uncertain control during emergencies;
- Loss of some degree of control over a vital
public service;
- Loss of expertise, which would make reversal
of operations difficult; and
- Lack of public access to important information
about water utilities.
- Conflicts between short-term profit maximization and long-term
needs to protect infrastructure and natural resources.
- Strong public opposition to privatization proposals from private
water companies because of the concern that privatization discourages
natural resources conservation efforts; jeopardizes quality of
services and leads to rate hikes; and, decreases direct accountability
to the public and reduces government influence.
Privatization discourages natural resources conservation efforts.
- A corporation’s chief goal is to make a profit, which
is often invested into new projects or simply pocketed rather
than used to conserve natural resources like water.
Since maximizing profits often means encouraging increased consumption,
it may not be in the interest of water corporations to promote
water conservation.
- If a private operator has purchased a municipality’s
water-related assets, they may include the municipality’s
watershed areas as well as industrial equipment. In order to
maximize revenue, the operator may want to either develop the
watershed area, which is considered surplus to its supply needs,
or sell it off to others for development
Privatization jeopardizes quality of services and leads to rate
hikes.
- Private water suppliers may have few economic incentives to
address long-term health problems associated with low levels of
some pollutants. The profit motive
may provide incentives to cut corners on long-term investments
and reduce efforts to monitor water quality.
- Rates have increased in many U.S. communities where water has
been privatized, disproportionately affecting low-income families
and small business owners. In Pekin, Illinois, rates increased
204 percent over the 18 years that Illinois-American, a subsidiary
of American Water Works, ran the water system.
Privatization decreases direct accountability to the public and
reduces government influence.
- Private sector workers who deliver public services are directly
accountable to their company – not to citizens; consequently,
citizens’ ability to hold public officials and workers responsible
for the quality and timeliness of public services is reduced.
- Once water services are privatized, local governments may lack
the influence needed to ensure that water quality and pollution
standards are met and to penalize corporations who fail to meet
them. Weaknesses in monitoring progress
can lead to ineffective service provision, discriminatory behavior,
or violations of water quality protections.
ACCNovato needs your help! Attend the
next Novato Sanitary District Board meeting on
Monday, July 29th, at 6:30 p.m. located at
Hill Community Room, 1560 Hill Rd., Novato,
behind the Margaret Todd Senior Center. Demand the board delay a decision on privatization
provide for a more inclusive public review of the contract operations and
maintenance proposals. The more people we have speak, the easier it
will be to get the people's point across to the board; up to
now they have ignored us - we need them to listen.
Map
to this NSD Board Meeting (opens in new window)
ACCNovato
Highlighted Media:
The Commonwealth Club of California (the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum have Deborah Kaufman and Alan Snitow discuss:
The Privatization of Water (FORA TV - opens in new window)
- This is a must see!!!!
To learn more visit
our Resources page.
View the Timeline
to Privatization (word document):
As Novato residents, we need to stop the district
from bringing in a French corporation to make a profit off
of our public utility. Here is how you can help!
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