Investigate Veolia!

Photo Credit: Ronald Woan, Flickr, Creative Commons.

Veolia — one of the largest private water corporations in the world — was supposed to manage Pittsburgh’s water system, deliver safe drinking water, and save the city money. But today, residents across the city are facing health risks from high levels of lead in their water.

That’s because, under Veolia’s management, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) changed how it treated the city’s water without getting the required approval from the state. This cost-cutting measure happened under a contract which gave Veolia half of every dollar it “saved” the city. After the change, lead levels exceeded federal action levels for the first time in the PWSA’s history.

This is a violation of Pittsburgh residents’ human right to water. And it is unacceptable. We need an investigation into Veolia’s role in the lead crisis, and to hold it accountable for any wrongdoing.

Right now, people are taking action to determine what role Veolia played in the crisis — and hold it accountable. The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is suing Veolia. And the Pittsburgh City Council unanimously called for the Pennsylvania Attorney General Shapiro to investigate Veolia’s contract with the water authority.

We need an independent investigation into the role Veolia played in the lead crisis. Attorney General Shapiro can bring the truth to light and ensure the corporation is held accountable for any wrongdoing.

You can add your name to the petition and join the call to investigate Veolia. And if you live in Pittsburgh, you can file a consumer complaint with the attorney general’s office. If don’t live in the city but know someone who does, please forward this to them! And check back here for updates!