Privatization Of Water In Bottlemania Elizabeth Roye

In Bottlemania Elizabeth Roye examines the controversy surrounding the privatization of water and the opinions of Americans in relation to the public water supply. Throughout Bottlemania, Roye refers to the privatization of water as an environmental justice issue for populations residing near the source. Roye prominently addresses this issue stating,“Clean Water is one of the most fundamental necessities, and no one can be allowed to privatize it, commodify it, and try to sell it back to us,” (Roye, 5). The success of the water industry has attributed to several environmental and legal problems for residents in towns such as, Fryeburg, Maine. Additionally, successful marketing strategies of the major water companies and the rise in hyper-individualism

Large water corporations often donate money to fund infrastructure and initiatives in the source communities. For example, Nestlé donated money in Fryeburg, Maine to a local school and youth department. Additionally, opening water manufacturing plants creates jobs for town residents. Finally, water corporations can be beneficial to an individual with valuable property. Maine uses absolute domain to govern the use of their water. Roye explains this principle stating, “The law grants landowners complete autonomy to take as much groundwater as they please,” (Roye, 12). This means an individual could sell Nestlé or another water corporation its property, for a hearty profit, and the water company would now own the sole rights to that water

Additionally, bottled water is appealing and convenient to the active American lifestyle. Bottled water advertising is persuading Americans that their water is purer and contains healthy elements such as calcium and electrolytes. However, tap water is actually healthier and safer, since it is more strictly regulated under EPA standards. Hyper-individualism also contributed to the rise in water bottle reliance. Hyper-individualism is a movement towards individual choices over socialization, or a common good that leads to increasing social alienation. The Times explored the phenomena of hyper-individualism stating,“ [bottled water] represents the exercise of private choice in preference to public provision, which can seriously be seen as a good in itself,” (Roye, 45). Hyper-Individualism has led many Americans to opt out of the public water system if they can afford it. This is detrimental to the future of our public water system because people will choose to opt out of paying for public water and the system will