Posted on 02/16/2009 6:48:40 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
HOUSEHOLDERS would be charged for each flush under a radical new toilet tax designed to help beat the drought.
The scheme would replace the current system, which sees sewage charges based on a home's value - not its waste water output.
CSIRO Policy and Economic Research Unit member Jim McColl and Adelaide University Water Management Professor Mike Young plan to promote the move to state and federal politicians and experts across the country.
"It would encourage people to reduce their sewage output by taking shorter showers,recycling washing machine water or connecting rainwater tanks to internal plumbingto reduce their charges,''Professor Young said.
"Some people may go as far as not flushing their toilet as often because the less sewage you produce, the less sewage rate you pay.''
Professor Young said sewer pricing needed to be addressed as part of the response to the water crisis.
"People have been frightened to talk about sewage because it is yucky stuff, but it is critically important to address it, as part of the whole water cycle,'' he said.
"We are looking at reforming the way sewage is priced and this plan will drive interest in the different ways water is used throughout Australia.''
The reform would see the abolition of the property-based charge with one based on a pay-as-you-go rate and a small fixed annual fee to cover the cost of meter readings and pipeline maintenance, Professor Young said.
The pay-as-you-go rate would provide financial savings for those who reduce their waste water output.
Professor Young and Mr McColl will promote the plan nationally through their Droplet, a newsletter whose 6000 subscribers include state and federal politicians, water policy specialists and economists around the country.
Professor Young said a sewage pricing plan, like the one proposed, was already used in the US.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Don’t these houses have water meters? I thought that was how you measured water usage.
Constipation to become the latest trend via lifestyle...
I pay for water and waste. Nothing new here. Since most of Australia is arrid, this will encourage using rain and grey water to flush toilets.
> My backyard would see a lot more watering.
Actually, a little human scent near the garden helps keep the bunnies, woodchucks, and especially the deer away. Backing it up with some birdshot from time to time helps to make that scent something for them to avoid.
It helps to leave the dead chuck or bunny nearby. It really does help discourage unwelcome visitors, while attracting carrion predators, which also discourages the little varmints.
So water yer lawn, mate. It’s good ecology in all respects.
I recall some years ago a Dem in Mass. proposed the same thing, but it was dropped just as soon as it hit the press. Who wants to bet it isn’t proposed again here in the States?
California, Oregon, Mass, or NY. They will tax the **** out of us.
THis is a hoax. THey can’t measure your water that you flush down the drain.
And the day they do, people will be disconnecting sinks and tubs and showers from their sewer lines and discharging them into the back yard.
Now, of course, it's unconstitutional because its "legally vague" since your water does not necessarily equal your sewage use (e.g- watering lawns). The only accurate way to measure would be to put a meter in your sewage line- which I understand some states do.
To all you Red-staters---welcome to my world. -:)
This reminds me of the farmer that sprayed down a court house or city council building with chicken crap. I tried to find the video but couldn’t so if anyone knows a link please post it.
Here is Maryland we pay sewage rates based on our water usage. Doesn’t matter if the water is going into an in-ground pool and will never see the sewer line, you pay sewage rate on that water also.
Guess I start using the public rest rooms at city hall now.....aka the steps !
Yep, daily trip.
Forgot to add we also pay a “flush tax” which comes in on the tax bill. That is a set amount ($30 per year) to pay for new, upgraded sewage plants. I think (and there was a big fuss about this) it even applies to those with wells and cess pools.
If you water your lawn a lot it might make sense to get a water only meter, but then you have to pay for the meter and the quarterly connection fee of about $15. Woe to the person who connects the water only line into the house's water/sewer system.
Hey, I'm for it! Only if I get to shove their heads in the bowl while I do it.
The people in OZ will have to start scheduling their colonoscopies during rainy season, otherwise they’ll be paying out the wazoo.
“The scheme would replace the current system,
which sees sewage charges based on a home’s value...”
- - -
WHAT THE HEY?
I have never had a water bill based on my home value.
My water (and sewage) bill is based on consumption.
The real problem where I live, is the antiquated system
of charging less per gallon for the more you use.
What I mean by this is that
the first 10,000 gallons is charged at one rate; while the
next and the next 10,000 gallons are charged at a reduced rate.
This is an old system that benefited business and industry at the
cost of residential users.
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