In addition to current news items from Fair Water Use which appear below, a wide range of our previous articles can be viewed via the subheadings of the News tab on the side-menu.

29th November 2011

World Bank partners with Nestlé to ‘transform water sector’

The World Bank's new partnership with corporations aimed at transforming the water sector is 'part of a broader trend of industry collusion to influence global water policy', writes Corporate Accountability International.

The World Bank has launched a new partnership with global corporations including Nestlé, Coca-Cola and Veolia. Housed at the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), the new venture aspires to “transform the water sector” by inserting the corporate sector into what has historically been a public service. The new partnership is part of a broader trend of industry collusion to influence global water policy.

The venture — called the 2030 Water Resources Group Phase 2 Entity — aligns global corporations that have major financial stakes in water governance with the World Bank, one of the world’s leading development institutions. Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe has been appointed to chair the Water Resources Group, which has already received $1.5 million in IFC funding. Nestlé is the world’s largest water bottling corporation.

Given the heated debate on the upcoming Basin Plan and water policy in general, Fair Water Use is keen to know your thoughts on these issues.

Please take a moment to complete a brief questionnaire, as it will assist us in prioritising our efforts.

27th September 2011

Environmental engineer and member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, Tim Stubbs, details serious concerns about the effectiveness and economic wisdom of the Knowles' Basin Plan: [listen here]

8th September 2011

Just received from our colleagues at Food and Water Watch (USA):

This morning we've organized hundreds of people to travel to the Shale Gas Outrage Rally in Philadelphia, where thousands of people from across the country are coming together to fight against fracking.

This dangerous practice has already contaminated more than 1,000 water wells and caused many other serious problems like explosions, quarantined livestock and radioactive wastewater. . .

Communities across the country are racing to protect their water from the dangerous and unnecessary practice of fracking. From Dimock, Pennsylvania to Santa Barbara, California, residents are standing up and saying "Ban Fracking Now." We're working with folks in some of the frontline communities to ban fracking so that they'll have safe clean water for their families and livelihoods. . .

7th September 2011

Despite vociferous protestations from a section of the irrigation community that all is back to normal after last year's rains, and that reductions in diversion limits are therefore unnecessary, drought has already been declared in a significant portion of the Murray-Darling Basin:  LISTEN HERE

27th August 2011

Dear Dr Marohasy,

Re. your article in today’s Australian:

It is heartwarming to note your deep concern for the ecological health of the Murray-Darling river system.

Given your stated opposition to man-made barriers to natural flows, can we assume that you would be in favour of the removal of all weirs, locks and in-stream diversions along the length of the Murray-Darling?

24th August 2011

Compulsory viewing for everyone who cherishes the waterways of this country - and especially the Murray-Darling:

24th August 2011

A major global report co-authored by a leading Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic highlights healthy ecosystems as the basis for sustainable water resources and stable food security for people around the world, including Australia.

18th August 2011

‘Our Right to Water: A People’s Guide to Implementing the United Nations’ Recognition of the Right to Water and Sanitation’

On July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted an historic resolution recognising the human right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as "essential for the full enjoyment of the right to life".

This report is an important tool in our fight for water justice and for implementing the human right to water and sanitation.