Is drinking water a human right?

[Something completely different]

The european parlament is a bout to vote on legislation which would require all European nations to open it`s drinking water supplies for the privat market.

This has caused some disturbance here in the recent months. In Germany only the liberterian party aproves of these messures whilest most parties call for legislation and constitutional amendments declaring the access to drinking water a human right. In neighbouring Austria this is very likely to happen within this year.
I have read several articles in recent days in which horror scenarious are painted, such as the british system which suposedly is of very low qualety and very expensive (french and german arguments against privatisation usualy always means pointing at the british).

Yet I have absolutly no Idea what it is like to live in a country in which drinking water is provided by privat companies and if the qualety is really that bad.

Besides healthcare the ideas on what is a human right in europe and what not go widely appart, french - childcare, scandinavians - education, eastern europe - firearm ownership, germany - privacy, southern europe - minimum wages.

Yet I would like to know what you think about this issue - and what services are far to importent to a sociaty to be given into privat hands?

And If you even live in a country in which drinking water is provided by privat companies?

[Question Mark]

I should certainly hope that drinking water is a human right. It's something we intrinsically need... to live.

[cratehorus]

privatizing water is a horrible plan, the way it works is........... you take your well managed pristine water supply and sell it for short term tax profits to a beverage company, essentially you'll be selling it to coca cola, the obvious problem is........... coca cola doesn't give two shits about the quality of your water............. and they have an adverse interest in the investment since they sell.....get this..... BOTTLED WATER!......... so they make money by telling people how horrible the water supply in their town is.......... Even if you have the strictest regulations they will wait and simply lobby your local government years later to lower regulations on the quality of water

have fun!!!!........ drinking estrogen mixed with a lil' mercury & lead!!!!

[Minimalist]

and what services are far to importent to a sociaty to be given into privat hands?

What do you think can safely be turned over to a bunch of money grubbing whores who would gladly poison you if they could make a buck?