Conference kaosws::canada

898.0. "Unfair billing for water usage" by OTOOA::MACLELLAN (GET OVER IT) Sat Feb 18 1995 09:41

    Looking for information:
    
    I live in a village about 39 km south of Ottawa which has a history of
    water shortages. This has been going on for decades and to date is
    still unresolved. 
    
    My village is on still on flat rate water billing even though they 
    installed water meters over a year ago. They have had problems 
    getting all the meters working for various reasons, and hence we are
    still being billed at a flat rate. 
    
    I have just received in the mail a $30.00 bill from my municipality for a 
    water surcharge because I own a pool with a capacity of more than 
    10,000 gallons. 
    
    I called the village offices about this and was told that in 1978 a
    bylaw was passed stating that all pool owners in the village that had
    pools with a capacity of greater than 10,000 gallons would be charged
    a rate of $30.00 per year because it is perceived we we use more 
    municipal water. 
    I replied that I rarely use municipal water in my pool (it is too hard 
    and I get mine from a local guy who pumps it from a spring and delivers
    it), I do not water my lawn or garden (I let mother nature do this and 
    have a couple of rain barrels), I do not wash my vehicles at home, I 
    only have 1 washroom, and have a family of 4.  I asked why doesn't the 
    village bill familiies with 2+ washrooms, or families of 6 for excess 
    water usage and  I was told bad, pay the bill because you own a pool 
    and the bylaw was specifically written to target pools of 10,000+ gallons.
                                             
    I don't mind paying for the water I use, and will welcome the day when
    we are charged for what we use. (get those damn meters working !!!) 
    I do resent the fact that because I have a pool I am automatically 
    charged for perceived excess water usage and that the village can't 
    prove I use municipal water in my pool.  
                        
    I have contacted several other pool owners in our village to fight this 
    bylaw, and am to meet with council later in the month. I have already
    been told the bylaw will cease to exist once the meters are working but
    we all know how bylaws seem to hang around long after they should.
    Also, no one can confirm when the meters will all be working.
               
    Does any one out their have any experiences such as this in your
    municipality ?
    
    	Terry
    

    Sarnia has had meters for years now. They went on a binge to get one in
    every home a few years ago. Sounds like in your case the fairest way to
    go. Pay for what you use. I still hear some complaint as you pay a
    surcharge for sewage. In your case this wouldn't be a problem. Only
    those that fill pools wash cars and water lawn end up paying sewage
    surcharge on all the water.