[Willie Green]

You're saying that to keep a Free Republic, we're going to have to kill off or expel a large chunk of our population.

Seems to me that's your proposal, not mine.
IMHO, provision of water supply (and wastewater treatment) systems is a legitimate role of government in supplying basic infrastructure for our society.

And in those areas where water resources are limited, I'd prefer to see solutions to expand supply rather than restrict use.

[HoweverComma]

And in those areas where water resources are limited, I'd prefer to see solutions to expand supply rather than restrict use.

Let free enterprise do that. Where the demand exists, supply will appear--if you don't interfere with the marketplace.