Water Cooperative / Water Association / Water Community

We found out yesterday, when we wanted to inquire about a new water connection for our soon-to-be-built single-family house at the municipal utilities, that we are not within their area of responsibility - but rather within the responsibility of a water cooperative.

Now I have a few question marks over my head...

1) Are there things to know/consider in this context?
2) Why does something like this exist?
3) Advantages/disadvantages?

I would appreciate a little enlightenment. :)

Our water supply is a GMBH, but absolutely supported by the city! I believe it is ultimately a GMBH of the state itself or something like that. But it got even more confusing when it became clear that water and wastewater are strictly separated (you just must not confuse the responsible parties, then they feel insulted) and there are basically two "offices" where one grants competencies to the other. In the end, I had a lot of running around and paperwork just to find out whether the plot can be connected at all and under what conditions, a completely obscure structure.

Hello,

so in our region the water supply was also privatized.

In our case, in my opinion, there is no difference compared to the public water supply.

Except that the name of the provider has changed, everything else has basically remained the same. ;)

Hello,

so in our region the water supply was also privatized.

In our case, in my opinion, there is no difference to the public water supply.

Except that the name of the provider has changed, everything else has basically stayed the same.