. . "(1) Public utilities such as poles, wires, cables, conduits, vaults, laterals, pipes, mains, valves, hydrants, or other similar facilities located on public rights-of-way or public easements and operated by a public utility as a franchise holder from the city of Topeka or Shawnee County, Kansas; and including water lines, sewer lines and similar facilities owned and operated by the city of Topeka" . . . . . .