In the 70s it was effectively belonging to the public. Sure, the government of the day imposed tight budget, but, from memory, it was never like it is in the matrix of our current uber-neocon regime.
It's probably pointless having a debate since, as is your nature, you are unlikely back up your assertion in a format that is debateable, but hey, I try
I worked with a couple of water boards. Good things were done, atrocious design quality since the contractors had to design to enable them to build it. Not ideal. It's very much worse now with the rentier class taking over 100%.