Today, people across Canada and around the world mark March 22 as World Water Day, 
Public water and wastewater services are vital to our lives and are fundamental human rights. These services are the foundation of safe and healthy communities. On March 22, CUPE members and our local and international allies recommit to protect water and wastewater services from privatization and strengthen these services for future generations.
CUPE works in coalition at the community level to keep our water systems publicly owned and operated. We will keep organizing to stop the spread of privatization through public-private partnerships (P3s) and contracting out. Our goal is reliable public funding for water and wastewater systems.
We also know that what comes out of our tap is directly connected with the health of our water sources. CUPE is committed to safeguarding our water resources from international trade agreements, bulk water exports and commercial exploitation through bottled water.
In 2017, a growing number of local governments are making the choice to end privatization, taking back public ownership and control of these vital services.
CUPE Local 500 is proud of our role in speaking out against the privatization of water and wastewater treatment. Around the world, over 1.8 billion people do not have access to clean and safe drinking water. Here at home, several communities in Manitoba remain under a “boil water advisory”. Water is a basic human right and we must continue to push for safe, public drinking water for all.
