There are aspects of our life that should be put out of the reach of those seeking to profit from them - water being one of them

Obviously other views prevail, hence talk of a referendum on future privatisation of a state enterprise. It is also the EU way forward, especially for indebted countries.(Greece being a prime example)
The EU (the epitome of perfection according to many posting here) cares not a fig for your "uman rights" if there is a shekel to be made on the deal.
https://www.epsu.org/article/eu-commission-forces-crisis-hit-countries-privatise-water
In England and Wales, water tariffs and profits increased substantially after privatization in 1989, but investments also increased and water quality in rivers improved. Tariffs increased by 46% in inflation-adjusted terms during the first nine years after privatization. Operating profits have more than doubled (+142%) in the first eight years. On the other hand, privatization increased investments: In the six years after privatization the companies invested £17 billion, compared to £9.3 billion in the six years before privatization. It also brought about compliance with stringent drinking water standards and led to a higher quality of river water.] According to data from OFWAT, the economic regulator of water and sewer companies in England and Wales, from the early 1990s until 2010, network pressure has improved substantially, supply interruptions have become less frequent, the responsiveness to complaints has improved and leakage has been reduced.

The benefits of privatisation in the UK are obvious. namely increased efficiency. metering seems the fairest way to me for charging.

Water is a human need, not a right. If the EU encourages privatisation they obviously do not regard it as a right.