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Utilities are heavily regulated by the state so you're not really refuting the parent's point. They didn't say that we should get rid of the government and indu

Utilities are heavily regulated by the state so you're not really refuting the parent's point. They didn't say that we should get rid of the government and industries it's propping up. They said that you can't have a monopoly without government support and your example reinforces that. For example, if there was no regulation of water utilities, anyone could just put a big tank on their property (bought from anywhere) and hire any number of water supply companies to come fill it. To the best of my knowledge this isn't legal due to numerous laws and regulations.

empath75 8y ago
Sure you can. That's what bottled water delivery is. We have that now. I've been to places where the government doesn't or can't regulate water delivery and perhaps not coincidentally, you also can't drink the water.
- malvosenior 8y ago
  I agree that the situation we have now provides healthy water reliably (normally). The point the OP was trying to make isn't that monopolies always provide a bad result, it's that they exist due to government backing and regulation.
ghaff 8y ago
Where water utilities exist, they're typically run or at least regulated by government. Of course, there are many areas where there is no water utility and property owners dig their own wells. It's very common in large areas of the US.
- malvosenior 8y ago
  Great point. Do you know if you're allowed to just dig a well anywhere? Like if I was in Redwood City and I didn't want to use the monopoly water provider, could I just dig a well if my yard had room for it?
  - ghaff 8y ago
    I assume it is specified by zoning/laws--although it probably varies. In general (unless you already have a well), I would also assume you're better off just getting town water if it's available. Wells are expensive and not necessarily reliable whereas water from the local utility is usually a pretty low cost, at least in my case. Same applies to septic. It's probably also going to be dependent on the town (presumably) whether you have to pay for a hookup if it becomes available.

empath75 8y ago

Sure you can. That's what bottled water delivery is. We have that now. I've been to places where the government doesn't or can't regulate water delivery and perhaps not coincidentally, you also can't drink the water.

malvosenior 8y ago
I agree that the situation we have now provides healthy water reliably (normally). The point the OP was trying to make isn't that monopolies always provide a bad result, it's that they exist due to government backing and regulation.

ghaff 8y ago

Where water utilities exist, they're typically run or at least regulated by government. Of course, there are many areas where there is no water utility and property owners dig their own wells. It's very common in large areas of the US.

malvosenior 8y ago
Great point. Do you know if you're allowed to just dig a well anywhere? Like if I was in Redwood City and I didn't want to use the monopoly water provider, could I just dig a well if my yard had room for it?
- ghaff 8y ago
  I assume it is specified by zoning/laws--although it probably varies. In general (unless you already have a well), I would also assume you're better off just getting town water if it's available. Wells are expensive and not necessarily reliable whereas water from the local utility is usually a pretty low cost, at least in my case. Same applies to septic. It's probably also going to be dependent on the town (presumably) whether you have to pay for a hookup if it becomes available.