法国有五家私营供水公司，它们与当地市政当局合作，负责该国大部分的供水和下水道设施。本文讨论了法国的饮用水供应制度、私营企业与市政组织之间的三种合同形式（特许权合同、农场租赁或管理合同）、法国公用事业私有化的趋势以及法国的水价。本文描述了最大的私营公司通用水务公司的运营情况。讨论了该公司与臭氧氧化和澄清器相关的研究项目和技术开发。包括表格，数字。

There are five private water companies in France which, operating in cooperation with local municipal authorities, are responsible for a large share of the country's water and sewer utilities. This article discusses the system of supplying drinking water in France, three forms of contracts between private firms and municipal organizations (concession contract, farm lease or management contract), the trend toward privatization of French utilities, and water rates in France. Operations of the Compagnie Generale des Eaux, the largest of the private companies, are described. The company's research programs and technological developments of the company relating to ozonation, and clarifiers are discussed. Includes table, figures.