We've moved to a new site!

Join us at publicservices.international - for all the latest news, resources and struggles from around the world.

We are no longer updating world-psi.org and it will be progressively phased out: all content will be migrated to the new site and old links will redirect eventually.

  1. Home
  2. Sectors
  3. Water and sanitation

Water and sanitation

Clean water and sanitation – recently recognised by the United Nations as basic human rights – are critical to good health. They help prevent disease. Yet billions of people have no ready access to safe water. It is an essential service that governments must provide to protect their citizens and serve their common good. Read more here

Turin city council votes to fully remunicipalize its water utility

22 December 2017

In early October 2017, the city council of Turin (Italy) voted to change the legal status of its local water provider - the “Turin Metropolitan Water Company (SMAT)” - from a publicly-owned joint stock company governed by private law to an inter-municipal enterprise governed by public law.

Indonesian Supreme Court Terminates Water Privatization!

21 October 2017

The Indonesian Supreme Court ordered termination of water privatization and restoration of public management to ensure human right to water. We stay vigilant for transparent and accountable transition.

Twenty young African trade unions leaders gathered in Abuja to discuss remunicipalisation

16 October 2017

Twenty young workers, representing 16 trade unions from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Nigeria, met in Abuja on 11-12 September to attend a workshop sponsored by IMPACT and Kommunal about the remunicipalisation of public services.

Delivering Safe Drinking Water for Syrian Refugees and Local Community in Lebanon

27 September 2017

“Because we had the war in Lebanon before and suffered, we feel in solidarity with Syrian refugees who are experiencing the same thing,” says Georges Moussa, Vice-President of the Water Workers Union of North Lebanon (Syndicat des employés de l'Office des Eaux du Liban Nord).

Open letter to UN-HABITAT

18 September 2017

Civil society organisations, trade unions, public water operators together with International Steering committee members of GWOPA jointly send the open letter to the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT concerning the recent attempt to undermine GWOPA's core purpose, origin and history.

Sign On Now: Letter to Lagos Governor - Don't privatize public water!

03 August 2017
Photo: Sani Baba

PSI along with Corporate Accountability International and other partners is circulating a letter in support of the Our Water Our Right coalition in Lagos - to show global support for their opposition to a NEW and IMMINENT privatization threat. PSI has been fighting water privatization in Lagos for several years.

World Bank plan to mobilize “trillions” will not help the poor

11 July 2017

Global Spotlight Report says that the proposed “cascade” of private financing for infrastructure will result in more corruption, high fees for essential services, and massive resource transfers to the rich from the poor.

PSI statement on World Water Day, 22 March 2014

19 March 2014
Water - photo World Bank

As the United Nations celebrates World Water Day on 22 March 2014, we must be aware of and continue to challenge the fundamental tensions polarising people and planet. Social inequality is growing, climate change is accelerating, and governments are not taking leadership for democratic change. Many governments continue to ignore the most basic rights of people, including the Human Right to Water and Sanitation.

After Yolanda: Government employees are also human beings

11 March 2014

Four months after Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda as it's known in the Phlippines, PSI affiliate in the Philippines, PSLINK, has put together a photo report of the effects Yolanda has had on the population and more specifically on the lives of public sector workers.

The impact of hurricane Sandy on consolidated Edison of New York

10 February 2014
UWUA

This position paper produced by the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, is an assessment of restoration efforts and gives recommendations for the future.

Resolution 25: Labour brokers/employment agencies in the public sector

03 February 2014

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),
meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 24: Austerity and Privatisation

31 January 2014

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),
meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 37: Ethical International Recruitment

30 January 2014

 The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 11: Redress taxation systems to adequately fund public services

29 January 2014

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),
meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012