Who should control the water flowing from our taps? Dr. Elena Berg joins Dr. Oleg Kobtzeff to examine water privatization and the competing cases for public and private water systems. They consider whether pricing can encourage water conservation, whether specialized companies maintain infrastructure more efficiently, and how corporate power, political influence, corruption, and profit can threaten water access and democratic accountability. Examples from Mexico City, Bolivia, France, and other water systems show why neither model produces simple outcomes. The episode offers a clear introduction to water management as a political question, revealing how decisions about ownership shape cost, infrastructure, resource use, and the public’s relationship with an essential resource.

Episode Guest: Dr. Oleg Kobtzeff

More information about Dr. Kobtzeff here

Dr. Kobtzeff’s website here

More information about Mexico City Case Study

More information about Bolivia Case Study

More information about the episode and Something in the Water here.

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted by Elena Berg

Written and produced by Elena Berg and Clark Marchese

Audio Editing by Clark Marchese

Cover art by Sarah Glavan

Theme Music by Josef Salvat

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.