Take back control of our water! But how?

Frances Cleaver, Emeritus Professor at the Lancaster Environment Centre (University of Lancaster) and former visiting researcher at the MAK’IT Institute (2023–2024), will speak at the upcoming ICIREWARD-SHS seminar.

The privatized water system in England is in a constant state of crisis, with recurring sewage discharges, rising household bills, excessive financial profits, and criminal prosecutions against water companies. The crisis is widely covered in the media, and 82% of the population supports public ownership of water. So why are policymakers so reluctant to regain control of the water system?

In this seminar, Frances Cleaver will discuss the work of the People’s Commission on the Water Sector, an initiative aimed at presenting an evidence-based case for public ownership. She will explain why the transition from a failing private system to public management remains so difficult to implement in England, despite positive examples in other European countries.

The seminar, organized by UMR G-EAU in partnership with the UNESCO Water Centre of Montpellier, will take place on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in person at INRAE Lavalette (rue Jean-François Breton, Montpellier) – Salle Aquadémie, and online via this link.

We look forward to seeing you there!