Based in France, Veolia employs nearly 100,000 people worldwide, and this deal is set to greatly expand that number. To get around French anti-monopoly laws, Suez will continue to operate in France, but Veolia will take over its operations around the world, including in the United States.

The company's CEO, Antoine Frérot, has presented the move as a triumph for the environment. "I am very happy to lay the foundation stone in France today for a world super champion of the ecological transformation," he said, adding that this was a "wonderful opportunity" for both investors and the planet.

Others were not sure this takeover was a positive move. Activist group Food & Water Watch decried the deal. "Veolia's global domination of public water services is becoming a terrifying reality," wrote its Public Water for All Campaign Director Mary Grant, warning of a host of negative consequences for humanity at large.

"The merger of the world's largest water corporations will erode any semblance of competition for water privatization deals. This lack of competition will lead to unaffordable costs for families, slack maintenance and safety procedures, loss of union jobs, and potentially rampant corruption. Water privatization has been a disaster for communities across the United States and around the world."

"Lead seems to be a problem, do not pass this on"