On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Corporate Accountability gave the following statement at the Flint/Pittsburgh Day of Action:
“Everyone, no matter where we come from or how much money we make, deserves access to safe, clean drinking water, one of our most essential resources. That’s why we’re standing in solidarity with the people of Pittsburgh, who have seen the disastrous impacts of privatization first hand, in support of the May 20th ballot referendum to keep Pittsburgh’s water public.
While the private water industry pitches itself as the solution to cash-strapped cities, privatization has all too often led to higher water rates, labor cuts and other cost-cutting measures that endanger public health. Unfortunately, the people of Pittsburgh know the dangers of private water schemes all too well, dating back to when the world’s biggest water privatizer came to town. Under Veolia’s management, the city’s water authority switched a corrosion control chemical to a cheaper alternative, without the required state approval, and a lead crisis soon followed. While the city and people dealt with the fallout, Veolia walked away with over $11 million.
Due, in part to, corporate-friendly state policy and years of industry lobbying, Pennsylvania is ground zero for water privatization. Corporations like Veolia, American Water and Aqua (Essential Utilities) have bought up systems across the state, and consumers are paying the price through rate hikes. And Pennsylvania is not alone, communities across the country, from Flint, MI to Bayonne, NJ to Plymouth, MA have seen the disastrous impacts of private water schemes.
Just a few weeks ago, Flint marked the eleventh anniversary since the start of the water crisis. To this day, too few people know of the role that Veolia played in the crisis. Veolia was brought in early to assess the water system and failed to sound the alarm. In fact, Veolia told the city that its water was safe, just days after privately discussing the potential for lead in the water. Meanwhile, Veolia chased a lucrative contract to privatize Flint’s water system.
Flint residents spent years fighting Veolia in court, and reached a settlement with the corporation just a few months ago. The fact that Flint residents could force Veolia to settle was a testament to the strength of their case. But no amount of money can undo the harm Veolia inflicted on Flint residents. And this settlement does not include any legal admission of wrongdoing, and so, provides no barrier to stop the corporation from exploiting other communities.
That’s why it’s so important that folks in Flint, Pittsburgh, and beyond, come together to demand public control and accountability of our water. We stand with the people of Pittsburgh who are demanding that their city keeps their water under public ownership, not under the control of private water corporations that prioritize shareholder profits over people. By approving this ballot referendum, residents will ensure public ownership and help safeguard Pittsburgh’s water for generations to come.
Be sure to vote YES on the referendum this coming Tuesday May 20th. Together, we can prevent the corporate takeover of our water.”
