Essential services are those services necessary to prevent danger to life, health or safety.

This definition sounds clear but it leaves the designation of many services open to dispute. Since I don't have a better definitions at hand, I'll have to live with it for now.

Designating essential services

I see it as a government task to designate essential services. The intent to designate certain services as essential, should be part of the political agenda and the procedure for change should be organised in a similar way changes in our constitution are organised. Following the definition of essential services, I see it as a subject of the utmost importance. Therefore it should be handled with the utmost importance.

Water

"Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and therefore a basic human right."
-- Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General --

Waterleidingwet 2004 (Netherlands water law)

This law is good example of the designation and the protection of an essential service, it also shows it can be done if there is a will to do it.

You can debate it here.

To be continued..