I understood but others took it seriously, invoking FMCG companies. My serious point was private companies, particularly SA ones that don't have a good history even w/ non-public goods, running essential services is a bad idea. If left to their own devices and what they call 'market forces' but in reality a monopolistic model, our bulk water would probably be among the most expensive in the world unless they agree to the price being capped by regulation, which they wouldn't.
No, for now state-run infrastructure and distribution is best. Cape Town's mess is dt the city's incompetence and negligence. They've good engineers but clueless politicians, eg. former speech writers, unionists, etc are undermining them by NOT providing strategic direction. Cf the situation w/ rail - political stasis. What other explanation do you have? NB private companies are still involved designing infrastructure and as contractors - not the state, which is the client - so they're still involved.