21.   An investigation of the earlier accident by an engineer hired by the water company determined that the pipe had leaked through the bad weld.

22.   An exception allows the state to invest in the shares of mutual water companies, but not electric utilities.

23.   At the same time, according to Martin, the water company started adding chlorine to the water to kill the bacteria.

24.   Bottle water companies, like public water utilities, must report their test results to the states, which then report to Uncle Sam.

25.   Brazilian regional water company Cia. Riograndense de Saneamento attracted five financial groups interested in drawing up a blueprint to sell a minority stake in the utility in July.

26.   A few water companies run their standpipes on the honor system, by which people write down how much they take.

27.   A combination of economic liberalization, tighter environmental regulation, and cash-poor municipalities is opening opportunities for private water companies in the region, he said.

28.   A merger of two water companies requires approval by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, the U.K. antitrust body.

29.   Britain faces severe water shortages this summer unless it gets heavy rain in the next few weeks, according to water companies.

30.   Both water companies said they could make large cost savings through providing several services to the same customer, and would benefit from economies of scale.