In 2005, the driest year in the UK since 1973, who paid for the 800 million gallons of water lost a day in leaks - enough to meet the needs of 24 million people a day

- the private water distribution companies, like Thames Water, which loses one-third of its water between the reservoir and the home and was 2005's worst offender with a loss of 200 million gallons daily;

- or the consumers, who saw a 46% increase in water prices in the first nine years of privatization led by Margaret Thatcher in 1988?

See Public Citizen's Water for all on the issue of public vs private water systems.