Water distribution and justice

We need grassroots activism to ensure water works for all of society

The advent of the commodification and privatization of water has resulted in strife and inequality amongst the most marginalized people in society. It is a widespread, pressing issue that will be exacerbated by climate change, whereby clean water will be even more of a luxury for the privileged few of humanity. Anyone who desires for a world of equitable access to clean water should not tolerate the status quo.

The commodification and privatization of water is pernicious because it is inherently restrictive and runs contrary to the tenets of our democracy. Such commodification and privatization are the axiom of “public losses, private gains” made manifest, which involves the movement of a natural resource needed for life — which ought to be held in common — and placing it into private hands.

Water privatization, and the denial of it to those in need, exists in our midst, in Aberfoyle, Erin, and Six Nations of the Grand River.

However, we should not feel hopeless. Meaningful change can occur by enacting and embracing the power of grassroots activism. This type of activism begins in the community and works its way up to political institutions and the enacting of laws. It is at the grassroots level where we ought to foment change, leading it to rise to the level of influencing politicians, lawmakers and policy creators. When change begins at the grassroots level, a community is more likely to connect and identify with the activism and change, as opposed to a top-down approach, because it is in the community which that activism begins. There is much resistance to the privatization and commodification of water — routinely, there are protests and community events in the Guelph-Aberfoyle-Erin areas that speak out against water commodification and privatization by actors such as Nestlé — and they reflect our democracy. The community can see itself in the activism and change.

Activism that starts in the community can inspire the democratic process, pushing the will of the majority to combat the will of the small but influential (read: moneyed) private interests. Water commodification and privatization have led to citizens being denied freshwater, yet private interests continue to siphon water — sometimes on expired permits — for themselves. Profit is exalted while the public loses access to a necessity for life.

A government which aspires to a just, equitable distribution of water would take heed of grassroots activists’ calls for commonly held water, while cementing such a message in law. Human rights law and international law, “soft law,” recognizes water as a human right, yet our system lags behind. The denial of water to those in need can be resisted by a community/locality, but it is at the larger governmental level where laws can be passed to protect against such injustice. Grassroots activism allows for recognition and participation by those most directly affected by a certain injustice of water ownership and distribution, while democratic principles are the arguments — the tools — such movements use in their fight.

The current trend of commodifying and privatizing does not live up to our society’s democratic ideals; it is a failure of our political and social system, spurred by private interests and government servants, which circumvents democratic principles. However, resistance comes in the form of grassroots activism. Such activism connects with communities because it begins there, and it can work its way up to influencing policy and laws.

In a time where democracy and publicly-held water are increasingly facing challenges, we must realize that we make our democratic political system. Our choices at the grassroots, local, municipal level can influence policy and laws at the provincial and federal levels, giving voice, recognition, and participation to citizens of our democracy. Privatized water works for a select few private interests, but the public can make it work for us all.