According to the World Bank more than a billion people lack access to safe water and more than three million still die each year from avoidable water-related diseases.

Everyone uses water, but supply is not meeting demand.

Already one person in five has no access to safe drinking water.

And with the privatisation of services like water gaining ground around the world, what role does multinationals play in trying to solve these problems?

HARDtalk went to Paris to talk to the Chief Executive of Suez, Gerard Mestrallet.

Suez is the second biggest water group in the world and is active in more than 130 countries.

Tim Sebastian asks if they can balance their goal of making money with bringing services to the poor?

The interview can be watched in full on Friday 30 August on BBC World and BBC News 24 at the following times:

BBC News 24 (times shown in BST) 0430, repeated 2230

BBC World (times shown in GMT) 0330, repeated 0830, 1130, 1530, 1830, 2330