在美国，私有化被认为是提高公共设施成本和竞争力的有效途径。一个更广泛的术语——公私合作——包括完全私有化以及其他创新的方式，通过这些方式，水务公司可以提高竞争力。其他技术包括合同服务、交钥匙设施建设和开发商融资。其中许多技术使公用事业公司能够更有效地运营和处理，并获得成本效益。私人参与的缺点可能但不一定包括劳工问题、公用事业公司缺乏控制以及缺乏社区的支持。包括40个参考文献和表格。

Privatization is being considered as a way to increase competition and achieve more cost-effective infrastructure improvements in US public utilities. A broader term--public-private partnerships--includes full privatization as well as other innovative ways through which water utilities can increase their competitiveness. Among other techniques are contract services, turnkey facility construction, and developer financing. Many of these techniques enable utilities to operate and treat more efficiently and to reap cost benefits. Drawbacks to private involvement may but do not necessarily include labor problems, lack of control by the utility, and lack of support from the community. Includes 40 references, tables.