Visitors from a United Nations delegation will be in Detroit this weekend to turn off the taps of those who do not pay their water bill. More than 80,000 non-paying accountholders have been threatened to have their water turned off, begging the question--is access to drinking water a human right?

SEE ALSO: Drought Forces Los Angeles to Rely On Water Reserves

This UN visit was prompted by July protests in the city that led to arrests. Similar protests occurred in Dublin, Ireland last week. Dublin will implement water meters and fees beginning in January 2015. There have been protests since August in Sao Paolo, Brazil, where privatization and a drought has cut off the water service to half of the city.

In 2000, there were protests over privatization in Cochahamba, Bolivia, that resulted in the police tear gasing rioters.

Read more on The Guardian. 

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