Local authorities (municipalities) also take care of promoting a healthy living environment. They are also responsible for water and energy supply, waste management, street and road maintenance and environmental protection. The living environment is affected by the municipal housing policy, public building, the maintenance of the transport infrastructure, public transport, parks and outdoor areas. (Local Finland 2006 a, b.) These technical and support services have the highest readiness for contracting out. The reason is that the technical sector has the longest experience of tendering and private service producers. Also these services are easier to define and turn into products. In technical services, the border between the public and private spheres is relatively thin. Municipalities prefer to purchase services rather than to maintain a large number of personnel for construction, transport and trash collection. Also small municipalities have been active in purchasing technical services from private companies. Because of the long tradition of using private producers, there is generally no shortage of enterprises. (Taipale 2003: 85–86; Kettunen 2006: 332–337.)