Public utility

A public utility is a company that maintains the infrastructure for a public service. Public utilities often involve natural monopolies, and as a result are often government monopolies, or (if privately owned) treated as specially regulated sectors.

Related Topics:
Infrastructure - Public service - Natural monopolies - Regulated

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In poorer developing countries, public utilities are often limited to wealthier parts of major cities, as used to be the case in developed countries in the nineteenth century.

Related Topics:
Developing countries - Developed countries

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Examples of utilities are:

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• Electric power transmission and electricity distribution
• Drinking water purification and distribution
• Sewage treatment and disposal
• Other waste disposal
• Natural gas distribution
• District heat generation and distribution
• Public transport by bus, train, etc.
• Cable television and telephone lines

Developments in technology have eroded some of the monopoly aspects of traditional public utilities. For instance, electricity generation, electricity retailing, telecommunication and postal services have become competitive in some countries and the trend towards liberalization, deregulation and privatization of public utilities is growing.

Related Topics:
Electricity generation - Electricity retailing - Telecommunication - Postal service - Liberalization - Deregulation - Privatization

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Types of utilities (acronyms):

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• FWSD ? Fresh Water Supply District
• MWA ? Municipal Water Authority
• MUD ? Municipal Utility District
• PUD ? Public Utility District
• WCID ? Water Control and Improvement District
• WD ? Water District
• WS ? Water System
• WSC ? Water Supply Corporation

See also:

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• Lists of public utilities
• public services
• Liberalization
• Electricity market
• Energy market
• Telecommunications
• Universal service