What would life be like if all of the planet’s water resources—the waters of rivers, lakes and glaciers—fell into the hands of private companies? In Chile, water is not a State-owned asset, but the exclusive property of private individuals and companies who own entire rivers and areas of water as big as Belgium. As a consequence, a prime necessity such as water can cost as much as a house. In the Atacama desert, which is considered to be the driest place on Earth, mining companies own the longest river in Chile, the Rio Loa; its waters are used to wash precious metals, condemning the indigenous peoples and local villagers to a life of thirst and poverty.