Final answer:
Government operates sewer services due to their nature as public utilities functioning as natural monopolies, where multiple infrastructures would be costly and inefficient. Public works initiatives and municipal socialism history supports governmental control to maintain service quality and manage costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The government operates sewer services, like the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, rather than private businesses because such services are often public utilities that function as natural monopolies. Installing multiple sets of infrastructure for competing companies would be incredibly costly and inefficient. Historically, as seen with the redesign and rebuild of the London sewer system known as the Great Stink, sewer systems have been significant public works projects. Cities, like those that adopted municipal socialism, often take on utility services to ensure their residents have access to necessary services without the burden of excessive costs.
Although governments may sometimes be less efficient than private companies, they can provide certain services directly or through a mixture of government and private firms under contract. This approach can help maintain quality and control costs for essential public services like water and sewer systems.