Commercialization

[muon2]

I strongly disagree. The way the question is phrased, it seems like the writers expect the reader to believe that publicly provided water is free. It certainly is not, and it competes in the market with other alternatives, including private bottled water.

Our city is in the final months of a 30 million dollar water softening project. The city compared a number of treatment options to improve quality ranging from remixing well water of different depths, to softening deep well water, to piping in water from Lake Michigan. The technology chosen is similar to the demineralizing techniques used by some companies that provide bottled water. The project is being paid for by the user in the form of increased water rates, and the public strongly supports the project. It will provide the convience of the tap with the quality of premium water.

Private competition is good. So is public involvement, when supported by the public.