the water system is a natural monopoly. Why would a private company with a total monopoly be any better at pricing it properly? It would be higher, but higher d

the water system is a natural monopoly. Why would a private company with a total monopoly be any better at pricing it properly? It would be higher, but higher does not mean closer to the real price. You can go too far in the other direction. Without competition you're really going on faith that you can trust a monopoly to give you a fair price.