Poll Shows Public Concern Over Idea Of Privately Run Drinking Water Systems

A recent poll shows most Wisconsin residents are concerned about the idea of turning public drinking water systems over to the private sector.

State lawmakers considered a bill last session that would have allowed more privately-run water systems, but Marquette University Law School pollster Charles Franklin says a statewide voter survey he recently conducted found 70 percent of residents are “very or somewhat concerned” about the prospect of a private operator.

Franklin told a drinking water forum held Wednesday at the Marquette University Law School that, “Perhaps this is an indication of why the Legislature backed off on moving on this bill.”

But Franklin said the issue seemed to break along partisan lines. Just 30 percent of self-identified Republican voters said they’re “very concerned,” compared with 57 percent of Democrats. State lawmakers may revisit the topic in the 2017 session.