Water privatisation

Private-sector efficiency did not provide better service, but it did allow companies to be milked for cash.

– The Guardian view on water companies: nationalise a flawed private system

water companies have enriched investors and senior executives but failed to adequately invest in infrastructure.

– The Guardian view on water companies: nationalise a flawed private system

Soaring prices and lack of investment in infrastructure.

The move was hailed by Margaret Thatcher and her ministers as one that would ensure soaring investment in the industry while bringing down consumer prices. In fact, the opposite has occurred.

– The Observer view on the woeful state of England's water industry

Ownership by foreign investors.

At the same time, a national resource has ended up in the ownership of foreign investors. Hefty chunks of Thames Water have been bought by Chinese, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait finance groups, for example.

– The Observer view on the woeful state of England's water industry

Thus, something that should be treated as a national resource and a core defence against climate change has been sold off for short-term financial gain.

– The Observer view on the woeful state of England's water industry

England and Wales are the only countries in the world to have fully privatised their water supplies.

– After this drought, there will be another one: here are 10 things you should …

The evidence suggests that privatisation in England and Wales has led to higher bills, little or no reduction in pollution or waste, and no greater water security.

– After this drought, there will be another one: here are 10 things you should …

Water for households costs more in England and Wales than in most regularly drought-ravaged countries in Europe.

– After this drought, there will be another one: here are 10 things you should …

For the last three decades, water companies have cut investment in upgrading the wastewater and sewage infrastructure by a fifth, despite increasing water bills by 31% in real terms since the 1990s. The basic logic of privatisation – that profits would be reinvested so that the government would not have to pay out of pocket to keep the system running – is not panning out: the companies have paid billions of pounds in dividends to shareholders instead of stopping leaks and sewage dumping

– Friday briefing: Britain’s rivers and oceans are filling with sewage – with n…