[refurb]

Aren't most utilities gov't supported monopolies? I think the logic is that for some utilities it doesn't make economic sense to have 5 companies all providing water to a house (5 water lines underground?).

The gov't gives the utility a monopoly in exchange for full coverage to all customers and pricing oversight.

[nmrm2]

There are plenty of examples where private companies control water distribution without government assistance or oversight if you look past the USA. We don't need fanciful theoretical speculation to know what happens in practice.

(note: not continuing with this thread because holy fuck hivemind downvotes.)