WATER  (CONT)

$125,000 fine from the state.
Similarly, residents of Felton and Monterey are so outraged at spiraling rates and service problems caused by the privatization of their water system that they are trying to take back control of it. These communities are also battling Thames Water, the third largest water company in the world, which has taken over local water utilities in 27 states across the country with the intent of profiting from delivering water to millions of homes. Groups like Felton FLOW (For Locally Owned Water) aim to put their local water utilities in public hands to ensure the best possible stewardship of this vital resource.

Water democracy is our future. Water should be protected as a public commons, not subjected to international trade laws or the open market, which would deem it a commodity and sell it off to the highest bidder. Famed Indian activist Vandana Shiva in her book, Water Wars, describes the nine principles of water democracy. In her words, "Communities have always recognized two things. First, that which we need for survival should never belong to an individual. It should be the common wealth. Second, it should be managed as the common wealth. Therefore, community structures of responsibilities have to be put in place."

People-centered and earth-centered water policies are the path to a water-secure future. That is why California communities are joining with social movements worldwide to call for a global convention on the right to water. This legally binding framework would take precedence over international trade laws that grant corporations rights to commodify and privatize water and water utilities. It would also give communities a powerful tool to hold their government accountable for guaranteeing a sustainable water policy.

This policy must begin with the long-term protection of the headwaters and ground water and extend an ecologic stewardship role to the entire hydrological system, which includes the atmosphere that is being destroyed by global warming. The right for future generations to have a safe and sufficient water supply and a healthy environment is at stake.

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