Fortunately, my HOA isn't bad at all. My money mostly goes to the landscapers, who do a pretty good job with everyone's front yard. Water is included. The main complaint happens in the spring when some people's grass turns green before other's and they complain that the HOA isn't watering the grass enough. A couple of weeks, every spring.
Also, people complain about things that the HOA has no control over, like cars on the street, or issues at the parks, or sidewalks and roads, or fence and wall height allowances/limits.