The boil water notice in Houston is a consequence of a failure in its public works department - specifically the provision of safe drinking water . Providing public works - in this case safe drinking water to the entire city - is one of the basic functions of local government. It is also an example of a public good - meaning a good that is unlikely to be provided by the private sector, so the public sector steps in and does so. This type of public good is commonly called a social good, meaning that the private sector can provide it to those who can pay for it, but we tend to believe that it ought to be provided to all residents in the city. It helps promote public health and commerce, among other things.
What is a good definition for public works?
From the APWA:
- Public works is the combination of physical assets, management practices, policies, and personnel necessary for government to provide and sustain structures and services essential to the welfare and acceptable quality of life for its citizens.
. . . In the real world there is no one, ideal structure for a public works operation. Even though some public works services are considered “must haves” in every community, they may not be readily identified on a city organizational chart, or delivered in the same way, or to the same level, from one community to the next. In fact, some municipalities may not even have a department named public works.
. . . Although some functions are not common to every community, each of them will have such things as water, utilities, and trash collection—unquestionably. What is in question is by whom they are delivered. The traditional concept of public works is that governmental units provide the services, own the facilities, and are usually funded through taxation. However, the situation often is not that clear-cut today, and other models also exist, which include publicly owned corporations and partial outsourcing. It’s not uncommon for the private sector to be involved in delivering public works services as well. For instance, some communities may own a fleet of trash collection vehicles, but other communities will contract out that service to private companies. It’s also common for a municipal engineering division to plan and design large construction projects but to contract out the actual construction work.
- For more on The American Public Works Association (APWA), click here:
The American Public Works Association (APWA) serves professionals in all aspects of public works—a fact that sets it apart from other organizations and makes it an effective voice of public works throughout North America. With a worldwide membership more than 30,000 strong, APWA includes not only personnel from local, county, state/province, and federal agencies, but also private sector personnel who supply products and services to those professionals. Membership in APWA is open to any individual, agency, or corporation with an interest in public works and infrastructure issues.
- From the US EPA: Information about Public Water Systems.
Providing safe drinking water is a partnership that involves EPA, the states, tribes, water systems, and water system operators. The public drinking water systems regulated by EPA and delegated states and tribes provide drinking water to 90 percent of Americans.
A public water system provides water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances to at least 15 service connections or serves an average of at least 25 people for at least 60 days a year. A public water system may be publicly or privately owned.
- Houston Water.
- Pearland: WATER PRODUCTION & SURFACE WATER TREATMENT.
- Alvin: Backflow testing program.
- Brazoria County Water Departments.
- Northeast Water Purification Plant.
