Isn't this what government is supposed to be for? To provide collective services to the people via taxation?
The people pay taxes, and that tax money has thus far been sufficient to provide water service.
However, that all changed when the IMF performed a leveraged buyout of the country. Now their taxes go to pay interest payments on debt most of the citizens never agreed to. As did 25% of the citizens' pensions as terms of the leveraged buyout.
It's such a minimal cost service that it seems meters/tracking systems, billing systems, and so on are just bureaucratic overhead.
In some parts of the world, water is becoming scarce, which would change this dynamic if you live in one of those areas...but I haven't heard of this happening in Ireland or Scotland.
We generally have such an abundance of water it's not something that people worry about. Having said that personally I hate dripping taps etc but I wouldn't think of water consumption when deciding between a bath or shower, or whether to water the grass (not that it ever needs done with the regularity of rain). Down south in England we hear of hosepipe bans almost every year, it's strange how such a small country can have such vastly differing access to water.
The people digging you down think that a person with a mansion, sprinkler system, tub, pool, and takes long showers should pay the same for water as a person who conserves.
It makes FAR more sense to have people pay in proportion to their usage rather than through taxes. Why should someone with a more expensive property who takes very short showers, doesn't leave the tap running when they brush their teeth or shaves, and otherwise conserves water pay more than someone on a cheaper property who wastes water and therefore uses twice as much a month?
NewsMeBackFeb 10, 2012Buried
This is really new to me, I thought water bills are normal thing in every country. This won't make Irish happy.
zephyrwowFeb 10, 2012Buried
We pay a flat rate for water use in Scotland, no meter's. It's included within our Council Tax.
njdoo7Feb 10, 2012Buried
Isn't this what government is supposed to be for? To provide collective services to the people via taxation?
The people pay taxes, and that tax money has thus far been sufficient to provide water service.
However, that all changed when the IMF performed a leveraged buyout of the country. Now their taxes go to pay interest payments on debt most of the citizens never agreed to. As did 25% of the citizens' pensions as terms of the leveraged buyout.
socialpyramidFeb 10, 2012Buried
Interesting. Do you notice people don't care about how much they use?
retracFeb 10, 2012Buried
I pay for water and don't care about how much I use
njdoo7Feb 10, 2012Buried
It's such a minimal cost service that it seems meters/tracking systems, billing systems, and so on are just bureaucratic overhead.
In some parts of the world, water is becoming scarce, which would change this dynamic if you live in one of those areas...but I haven't heard of this happening in Ireland or Scotland.
zephyrwowFeb 10, 2012Buried
We generally have such an abundance of water it's not something that people worry about. Having said that personally I hate dripping taps etc but I wouldn't think of water consumption when deciding between a bath or shower, or whether to water the grass (not that it ever needs done with the regularity of rain). Down south in England we hear of hosepipe bans almost every year, it's strange how such a small country can have such vastly differing access to water.
dtwritesFeb 10, 2012Buried
Interesting to see how things work in other countries
jivatmanxFeb 11, 2012Buried
The people digging you down think that a person with a mansion, sprinkler system, tub, pool, and takes long showers should pay the same for water as a person who conserves.
JollyMacFeb 10, 2012Buried
If you think the wars we wage for oil are fierce, wait until we do it for the water..
barackalypseFeb 10, 2012Buried
“Our current model of water provision, where unlimited quantities of an expensive product are provided at no charge, is simply not sustainable,”
Wrong, water is literally cheaper than dirt:
"The national average cost of water is $2.00 per 1,000 gallons. "
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/wot/pdfs/book_waterontap_full.pdf
thetwintowersFeb 10, 2012Buried
That's absolutely insane. It must have been hidden in their taxes somewhere.
thetwintowersFeb 11, 2012Buried
Yeah, I do assh**e. :)
technopunditFeb 11, 2012Buried
Since when do Irish people drink water?
TheDon24Feb 11, 2012Buried
a new excuse for the Irish to drink more booze :)
dougnic55Feb 11, 2012Buried
good idea...
dennislopez89Feb 12, 2012Buried
then how peoples can live
dennislopez89Feb 12, 2012Buried
then how peoples can live
jberiniFeb 10, 2012Buried
It makes FAR more sense to have people pay in proportion to their usage rather than through taxes. Why should someone with a more expensive property who takes very short showers, doesn't leave the tap running when they brush their teeth or shaves, and otherwise conserves water pay more than someone on a cheaper property who wastes water and therefore uses twice as much a month?