Human rights advocates and union workers are celebrating as Baltimore is poised to become the first major American city to amend its charter to bar privatization of the public water system.

Baltimore’s City Council on Monday approved a charter amendment that deems the water supply and sewer systems “inalienable,” and prohibits the sale or lease of the systems. The vote was nearly unanimous—one council member reportedly recused herself and another was absent.

“Access to clean and affordable water should be looked at as a basic human right,” asserted City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young, who waived council rules to fast-track the vote. “I have always been a proponent of retaining our city’s assets, which is why I am completely opposed to the privatization of Baltimore’s water system.”

The amendment must be signed by Democratic Mayor Catherine Pugh—who has expressed her support for it—by Aug. 13 before residents get the final say through a ballot measure vote in November.

The council’s move on Monday came as a loud retort to years of lobbying by corporations interested in Baltimore’s water system—including the French company Suez Environment, which spent several weeks of last year pitching a takeover to city officials. Human rights advocates have fiercely opposed the privatization proposals.