(11 October 2010) EPSU commissioned PSIRU a report on the developments of water companies in Europe. The report also explored the eligibility of companies for a European Works Council. Some of the results of the report are that the trends is still towards concentration of (private) ownership but that significant remunicipalisation takes place. The four main features for private water the reports notes are:
- The ownership of private water companies in Europe in 2010 has become even more concentrated than before. It is now more than ever overwhelmingly dominated by Suez and Veolia.
- Both Suez and Veolia, and other smaller companies such as SAUR and FCC, are increasingly dependent on state capital, both from the government of France and from international development banks, including the EBRD and the IFC
- In 2010 there have also been some significant reversals of privatisation, notably in the city of Paris and in Pecs (Hungary)
- There is continued strong public resistance to water privatisation, notably in Italy (see Annexe to the report).
Water companies in Europe 2010
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