On July 28, the General Assembly of the United Nations recognised in a resolution that “the right to clean, healthy water is a fundamental right, essential to the full exercise of the right to life and of all human rights”. A symbolic advance in the “International Water Decade 2005-2015 Water for Life” proclaimed by the United Nations (UN).

The Human Rights Council of the UN mandated an Independent Expert to work on human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation In particular ,some groups have expressed doubts about the compatibility between the human right to water and the involvement of private operators in water supply and sanitation services; the expert has been asked to investigate on this issue. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT contributes on going the consultation.