Public utilities are services provided by the government or state, such as the supply of electricity and gas, or the train network.
Water supplies and other public utilities were badly affected.
public utility in British English
noun
an enterprise concerned with the provision to the public of essentials, such as electricity or water
Also called (US): public-service corporation
public utility in American English
an organization supplying water, electricity, transportation, etc. to the public, operated, usually as a monopoly, by a private corporation under governmental regulation or by the government directly