The distinction should be between municipal water and bottled water (which is rebottled tap-water at 1000% markup). Sure municipal water is payed for by taxes at a park water fountain, but people still pay for water to the home (subsidized).
A functioning State today should be able to provide cheap clean water. Many nations are outsourcing their municipal water supplies to international companies, which I think could turn poorly. The Documentaries Tapped and Blue Gold cover some of the intercedes.
…but yea, I don’t think that’s what OP meant in this thread, because that requires you understanding more than bumper stickers