Pope Francis warns of a great world war, over . . .

[Hortensis]

20. Yes. Privatization of fresh water in the U.S. is already happening

Last edited Sun Feb 26, 2017, 09:03 AM - Edit history (2)

and will surge under the 45th. Keep this issue in mind as they start "selling" off our federal lands.

EPA:

While the population and the demand on freshwater resources are increasing, supply remains constant and many regions are starting to feel the pressure. In fact, a government report (PDF) (1 pg, 157K)Exit EPA Disclaimerfound that water managers in 40 of 50 states expect water shortages in some portion of their states under average conditions in the next 10 years.
https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/supply.html

Salon:

"Cash-strapped local governments that can ill afford maintaining and managing them may see selling them off to private firms as an attractive option, and under Trump, more communities are likely to take that step. But let the seller beware.

A recent New York Times investigative report found private equity firms typically make 8-18 percent profit from water privatization, while ratepayer bills skyrocket. In Bayonne, N.J., for example, rates rose almost 28 percent after a private equity firm took over."
http://www.salon.com/2017/01/23/take-back-our-water-how-trumps-appetite-for-privatization-threatens-your-drinking-water_partner/

And those colluding to privatize are working to make sure local governments remain cash strapped.

Worse, water profiteers are no more concerned with public wellbeing issues than petroleum profiteers are. Quality typically drops.

In Rockland, its management has been marked by persistent complaints of deferred maintenance, understaffing, low water pressure, service interruptions, metallic tastes, bad smells and brown, unusable water, to which the company has been less than responsive.

Prices can be raised and raised because water is a basic necessity--there is no orange to buy instead when the price of apples rises too high. Water prices and quality would become significant issues in home buying and cause property values to drop in many neighborhoods.

In future, as water becomes more precious, whole lower-income counties and regions could be allowed to fail for lack of affordable water. In fact, conservative local governments should be expected to use this as a tactic to force retired people and low wage earners to sell their homes and leave.

That's if we let the barbarians currently in power stay in power. We won't, of course, because we can't.