"… aterworks to one degree or another since the Napoleonic era. Suez and Vivendi Environnement are by far the largest private water companies in the w …"

"… s in 130 countries on five continents and has about 115 million customers. Vivendi Environnement has 110 million customers in more than 100 countries. Number …"

"… rate RWE, has 70 million customers.Back home in France, both Suez and Vivendi have come under scrutiny in a host of criminal and civil cases, with accus …"

"… kbacks, price fixing, operating cartels and fraudulent accounting.Suez and Vivendi have close ties to the French government; the water companies appear to be …"

"… mportant to be controlled by outsiders.In late 2002, when debt-ridden Vivendi Universal announced it would sell its shares in its water division,&n …"

"… versal announced it would sell its shares in its water division, Vivendi Environnement, the French government was not enthusiastic about the prospe …"

"… ter supply is very much a public service, and we should pay attention that Vivendi doesn't fall into bad hands," said President Jacques Chirac, who was in th …"

"… he finance ministry assembled a group of investors to consider taking over Vivendi Environnement. They included the state-owned power company, Electricité d …"