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Campaign success:
Severn Trent pull out of Nepal water privatisation bid

Severn Trent Water International has pulled out of the bidding process to manage the water privatisation contract in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu.

Earlier this year Nepalese activists requested our help to campaign against the signing of the contract by Severn Trent, a UK company, and the government of Nepal. Nepalese groups had severe concerns about water privatisation of drinking water and felt strongly that there were workable public alternatives. Campaigners were also concerned that this proposed water privatisation was a condition imposed on Nepal by the Asian Development Bank in return for multi-million dollar loans.

Over 1000 people in the UK took action, writing to the managing director of Severn Trent calling on him not to sign the contract. WDM campaigners also protested outside Severn Trent’s headquarters alongside Gopal Chintan from the Water and Energy Users' Federation in Nepal (video).

Gopal Siwakoti Thanks to all WDM campaigners who took action against Severn Trent, the pressure placed on a UK company by UK citizens has really made a difference – we are very pleased that Severn Trent has finally pulled out of the bidding process of this disastrous project.

Gopal Chintan

The government of Nepal is now considering its options for Kathmandu’s water supply and apparently refusing to be railroaded into privatisation by the international community.

In a meeting with Nepalese campaigners the minister in charge expressed strong gratitude to all national and international organisations for their support on this issue.

Read the press release: Victory for campaigners as Severn Trent pull out of Nepal water privatisation bid

Watch the video: Protestors outside Severn Trent headquarters