Last Updated: January 3, 2026
Welcome to PublicUtilFinder. By accessing or using our service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully.
1. Service Description
PublicUtilFinder is a crowdsourced platform that helps users discover and report the status of public utilities including toilets, drinking water fountains, and EV charging stations. Data is aggregated from OpenStreetMap, Open Charge Map, user submissions, and other open data sources.
2. User Content and Responsibilities
2.1 User Submissions: Users may submit location data, status reports, and feedback. By submitting content, you grant PublicUtilFinder a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your submissions.
2.2 Accuracy: While we strive for accuracy, PublicUtilFinder does not guarantee that all information is current, complete, or accurate. Users are responsible for verifying information before relying on it.
2.3 Prohibited Content: You may not submit content that is illegal, defamatory, obscene, threatening, invasive of privacy, infringing of intellectual property rights, or otherwise objectionable.
3. Privacy and Data Collection
3.1 Location Data: We may collect your approximate location to provide nearby utilities. Location data is not stored on our servers without your explicit consent.
3.2 Anonymous Usage: You can use PublicUtilFinder anonymously. Account creation is optional and only required for certain features.
3.3 Device ID: We generate a unique device identifier to track status reports and prevent abuse. This ID is stored locally on your device.
3.4 Cookies and Storage: We use localStorage and cookies to cache data and improve performance. No tracking cookies or third-party analytics are used.
4. Third-Party Data Sources
PublicUtilFinder integrates data from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL license) and Open Charge Map. We are not responsible for the accuracy, availability, or content of third-party data sources. Users should refer to the respective licenses and terms of these services.
5. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. PublicUtilFinder does not warrant that the service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.
6. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PublicUtilFinder SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES.
7. International Use and Compliance
7.1 Global Access: PublicUtilFinder is accessible worldwide. Users are responsible for compliance with local laws and regulations.
7.2 GDPR Compliance: For users in the European Union, we comply with GDPR requirements. You have the right to access, rectify, delete, or restrict processing of your personal data.
7.3 CCPA Compliance: California residents have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, including the right to know what personal information is collected and the right to delete personal information.
8. User Accounts
If you create an account, you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your credentials and for all activities under your account. You agree to immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account.
9. Termination
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to PublicUtilFinder at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Upon termination, your right to use the service will immediately cease.
10. Intellectual Property
The PublicUtilFinder service, including its design, code, and branding, is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Third-party data is subject to respective licenses (OpenStreetMap ODbL, etc.).
11. Dispute Resolution
Any disputes arising from these Terms will be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with international arbitration rules, rather than in court. You waive your right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.
12. Changes to Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the service after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
13. Contact Information
For questions about these Terms, please contact us through our About page or via the platform's feedback mechanism.
Open Source Attributions
OpenStreetMap: Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL).
Open Charge Map: EV charging station data provided by Open Charge Map contributors.
Nominatim: Geocoding services provided by OpenStreetMap Nominatim.