WATER ABLAZE - Patagonia Sin Represas

lead to the largest suppliers, e.g. Veolia, Suez, Nestlé, Danone, EnBW
and Bechtel, being kept in check. This, of course, presupposes that such
a change is possible in the first place. In the case of electricity suppliers,
people can take the opportunity of changing directly to a company
supplying electricity generated from renewable sources. 73 The same
principle applies here: people should change to a smaller, independent
or local authority supplier in order to break the dominance of the big
companies in the field.
As far as water is concerned, different suppliers are not permitted
to use the same mains network for reasons of hygiene. Changing from
one electricity or gas supplier to another, however, can have an effect on
the water supply too, because the balance of power can be shifted and
a monopolisation or control of the market can be counteracted. This
behaviour can be extended to boycotting the products of companies
which are conspicuous by their ruthless or harmful business practices.
Boycotting the water-bottling multinationals can prove an effective
means too, especially as there are alternative products available, which
are usually cheaper. Here is a list of those global players, who are
infamous for their destructive behaviour – especially in developing
countries – as well as their most important brands:
Nestlé
Acqua Panna, San Pellegrino, Perrier, Vittel, Contrex,
Aquarel, Pure Life, Fürst Bismarck, Harzer Grauhof;
Danone
Volvic, Badoit, Evian;
Coca Cola Bonaqua, Dasani, Kinley, Ice Mountain;
Pepsi
Aquafina.
Throughout the world, even in the developing countries, people
are all too inclined to buy the products of the giant companies, which
are usually presented in a more attractive way. In most cases, however,
the “No-Name” products are every bit as good, often even better – and
definitely cheaper!
237