Panel discussion

The panel discussion directed by Rolf Probala with three speakers from the afternoon goes into further detail of some aspects. In Lucerne, the city council establishes (household) water prices. The service at low prices gives ewl a good image; in the energy sector, it is a profit oriented player with market conditions. For Moss, water supply offers new business possibilities with little profit and reduced risk in a diversified portfolio as long as there are no changes (investments) to be made. Rüegg estimates the risk to be medium or high. Customer orientation (for those who do not have alternative providers), responsibility and reputation are reasons. Garrido gives irrigation services in Spain a low rating, but he considers drinking water supplies in Barcelona (private) and Madrid (public) to be successful. Moss criticizes that the private sector is too regulated, while the public sector is not regulated at all. Rolf Probala ends with a question of whether water is a human right. The speakers say yes. Moss complains that the right is not globally enforced. Rüegg adds that water should be free; control, treatment, transport and distribution could be charged. Questions from the audience: Would water supply become more expensive in Zurich after privatization? Rüegg answers: Innovation and investments would stop. Importance of agreements! Why is there bottled water at the conference, instead of fresh Engelberg water? Due to marketing and lifestyle reasons, states Rüegg. But also, the reporter believes, for logistic reasons.