31 January 2022

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES...Privatizing Water Rights is a Slippery Suibject

Intro: Here in Mesa, Arizona the issue in this post headline got some attention most recently during the Pandemic when residents could not pay increasing "service-fees-and-charges" for water usage that were approved by the Mesa City Council year-over-year in annual budgets.

At least one city council member analyzed the flaws of those actions taken for transferring the debt burden onto the backs of citizens - a subject that was covered by featured posts on this blog, as well as the City of Mesa selling-off rights-to-the-water on more than 11,400 acres included in the Mesa Water Farm subsequently purchased by Saints Holdings LLC.

Recently the Arizona Corporate Commission approved some plans by a corporation named Global Water Resources to supply water to Maricopa and other cities. Previously the same entity bought water rights for Leisure World in East Mesa. In San Tan Valley and Queen Creek there were problems with water utilities and take-over of service by a company EPCOR

> Nationwide, dozens of new privatisation deals are under consideration, according to Global Water Intelligence, with 14 major acquisitions (each worth at least $10m) pending across five states, with a combined value of almost $800m, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The following report on Chester, Pennsylvania appeared in The Guardian January 25, 2022.

(Please Note: Images inserted for editorial comment. They are not in the source)

Here's an excerpt: "Federal funding for water systems peaked in 1977, and since then municipal utilities have mostly depended on rate hikes and credit to fund infrastructure upgrades, water safety mandates and climate adaptation. As a result, the cost of water and sewage has risen sharply over the past decade or so, making this basic service an increasing burden for many Americans, a Guardian investigation found. Still, the funding shortfall remains gob smacking, which has been further exacerbated by billions of dollars in unpaid bills during the pandemic.

‘Corporate vultures’: how Americans fearing higher water bills are fighting takeovers

Nina Lakhani

the Guardian

"Corporations are trying to privatize dozens of public water utilities around the US, capitalizing on the financial troubles of cities.

The Octoraro reservoir is a lake in south-east Pennsylvania where locals fish, kayak and marvel at bald eagles and owls. It’s a picturesque scene but in the neighbourhoods nearby there are placards that carry warnings.

“No to Big Water”, the signs say, and “Save CWA”.

The signs show the local opposition to a hostile takeover effort by Aqua Water, one of the country’s biggest private water companies, against the public utility Chester Water Authority (CWA), which owns the reservoir and bordering woodland.

The CWA relies on the watershed to provide drinking water to about 200,000 people in Delaware and Chester counties. It’s an award-winning public utility that is financially robust and delivers safe, clean and affordable water. It does not need a bailout.

Campaigners say the battle here, which started in 2017, should be a wake-up call for residents around the US, as privatization often means higher bills.

“This takeover is about putting money over people’s needs – it’s corporate greed,” said Delaware county resident Santo Mazzeo, 42, a high school maths teacher with three children working two jobs to make ends meet.

“Water is the stuff of life, it’s a fundamental human right which should be run by the people for the people, not for profits,” added Mazzeo, who in his spare time delivers the anti-takeover signs to neighbours. . .

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18 September 2021

Influence-Maker Jordan Rose: Pinal has Water. . .What She Doesn't Disclose Her Clients are Real Estate Developers

OK. There's a very long back-story going back to a deal arranged by Mesa Deputy City Natalie Lewis to sell more than 11,000 acres of land owned by the City of Mesa that - surprise! - ended up in the hands of Saints Holdings LLC.

"According to Natalie Lewis, assistant to city manager Chris Brady, and also lead negotiator on the deal, Mesa purchased the land in 1985 for more than $29 million for its water rights to create a water farm. Eventually, the city found more cost-effective means to provide the city water.

OH REALLY? DID THEY?

The city expected it would take 20 years or more to sell the land. But two years ago, PLH approached the city with interest in purchasing the land in phases over five years. . More than 5 years ago, this LAND DEAL was one of the largest in Mesa's history.

We didn't know more about it then.

Mesa Seals $135 Million Land Deal

Posted on January 7, 2014

by Kristian Seemeyer

How Pinal County defies the odds to increase development in a drought

Rose Law Group Reporter

By Madelaine Braggs | Rose Law Group Reporter

With a massive influx of new out of state residents filling Phoenix metro vacancies, Arizona desperately needs housing development to grow in Pinal County, but with no groundwater.

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The unconventional side of water investment

The prospects for a US federal infrastructure funding package are improving, but how should the funds be spent? George Hawkins outlines four areas worthy of attention.

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23 September 2021
(Vol 22, Issue 9)
Article type:
Comment
Topics:
Americas, Utilities
Columnist:
Debra Coy
Countries:
United States
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Federal infra funding should focus more on performance

Rather than handing out money to water utilities, federal funding programmes could be better deployed if linked to measurable outcomes, argues Debra Coy.

municipal finance

20 January 2022
(Vol 23, Issue 1)

Topics:

Americas, Utilities

Countries:

United States

US municipal water borrowing eases amid increased federal funding

Utilities are raising less tax-exempt debt for new water and wastewater projects. With interest rate hikes and additional federal dollars on the horizon, what are the implications for municipal spending?

https://www.globalwaterintel.com/global-water-intelligence-magazine/project-trackers