It’s not obvious that water’s problem is capitalist profits
As we keep being told it’s that nasty capitalism, that pursuit of profits, which is everything that ails the water system in England and Wales.
Well, yes, it’s just that we have a lovely natural experiment here from which we can draw conclusions. From The Guardian:
Dŵr Cymru is a not for profit company. Dŵr Cymru is not the cheapest provider here, it’s not even in the bottom half of the distribution. Hafren Dyfrdwy serves the same country, or parts of it at least, and is a for profit company. Owned by Severn Trent, another for profit company. Both of which are indeed in the bottom half of this cost distribution.
It’s wholly possible that there are all sorts of problems with any one of these companies, even with all of them. But it just isn’t obvious that it’s capitalist profitry driving the expense now, is it?
Good, lovely, super, now we’re absolutely delighted to have a conversation with anyone on this subject but we will insist that the above is taken into account first. “But, Muh Capitalism” is not a necessary, sufficient or even useful explanation.
Tim Worstall