The Public Works

A number of cities and towns have saved millions of dollars by running their water utilities with public employees instead of private contractors. For these communities, public operation is a much better deal. Food & Water Watch reviewed 18 communities that reclaimed public management of water or sewer services between 2007 and 2010, and found that public operation was an average of one-fifth cheaper than private operation. A municipality typically saves 21 cents on every dollar by returning their water systems to public hands.