Health Impacts of Commercially Orientated Scottish Water

This paper will consider the commercialisation and corporatisation of public water provision in Scotland. This critical discourse analysis explores the notion of ‘publicness', in the context of the increasing privatisation of ‘public' water services in Scotland. In light of the recent and significant increases in joint ventures with private sector corporations, public private partnerships, the implementation of free market mechanisms such as competition and incentives, and the downsizing of the workforce, there is clear indication of the market-orientated model adopted by the ‘public' water provider in Scotland, Scottish Water.

Utilising case studies (e.g. Scotland, England, South Africa), this paper will draw out and explore the consequences and implications of increasing corporatisation: namely, an increase in water rates; unfair labour practices; an increase in bribery and corruption; the general exploitation of fresh water resources; and the transfer of ownership and control of such an essential resource. These, along with generalized impacts on the environment, democratic control, regulatory power, and the broader public good, will be contextualised in terms of broader public health issues, consequences and implications. Empirical examples documenting the increasing commercial orientation of Scottish Water will be employed to formulate a thesis that suggests increased commercialisation and corporatisation are associated with potential increased levels of negative health outcomes in Scotland.