Water Rates
I received an email from a fan of the blog asking me if I was going to cover the water rate issue.
What are the costs to have water ? People conserve and use less water yet we have to pay more for it because of this.
Before raising rates did they even do an audit to see where internally they could cut back on fixed costs?
The same issue is with our Veridian Hydro, conserve, pay more in rates to make up that shortfall in revenues.
Comments welcome.
January 9th, 2010 at 12:53 am
This story first appeared in our local newspaper and judging by the number of letters to the editor, taxpayers are NOT happy!.
For years we’ve been told to conserve water. People stopped watering their lawns. They purchased water efficient toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines. These were supposed to save us money. Some were even eligible for a rebate from the government. We did such a great job of conserving water that they started losing money!. So they charge you more money for something you’re using less of. You know damn well that the hydro will be the next thing.
I don’t see this as any surprise. I can see the same thing happening in the gasoline business. The car companies are building vehicles that are more fuel efficient. People don’t have to fill their tanks as often. So, up goes the price!. Oil companies aren’t going to take a cut. Same thing will happen with they build these electric cars. The cost of hydro will go through the roof!.
Karem: But the Private Sector Oil company will cut fixed costs– reduce staff if revenue drops. If a program is reduced in governement or some service is less used what happens to the workforce ? it just keeps going up. We don’t want safety compromised but admin and paper shufflers are another story.
January 10th, 2010 at 1:45 am
So you’re suggesting the water plants reduce staff in order to keep taxes low?. By doing that, how long do you think those savings will last before they decide it’s time to jack prices back up again?. They will never be satisfied until they have all of our money.
That’s like McGuinty selling off the LCBO to help pay down the debt. It’s a one time thing. Once the money is gone, it’s gone. No different then the suggestion of laying off staff. You could reduce the staff by 95% and it still wouldn’t be enough to stop the rising water rates.
Instead of going after the front line workers.. maybe we should have a look at how much some of these highly paid CEOs and high level management positions are costing taxpayers.
Karem: You are sounding like someone else I know. All options must be reviewed and when I say staff, I mean anyone that collects a paycheque with it. Don’t assume a level went with it. Remember I did say before I felt Ajax suffers from Manager-itis. I don’t agree with selling LCBO on the provincial scene.