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Study finds repairing, expanding drinking water system to cost at least $1 trillion
Many consumers could see their water bills double or even triple, as the country attempts to overhaul its aging water system over the next 25 years.
A new study by the American Water Works Association found that repairing and expanding the U.S. drinking water system between 2011 and 2035 will cost at least $1 trillion, an amount that will largely be paid for by jacking up household water bills.
"The amounts will vary depending on community size and geographic region, but in some communities these infrastructure costs alone could triple the size of a typical family's water bills," the report said.
Originally posted by stumason
You're under no obligation to use the water provided by these companies, it falls out of the sky for free.
However, if you want the water they provide because you don't want to go through the hassle of collecting it yourself, then you pay for it.
Not sure I am seeing what the thrust of your argument is. Besides, I thought round these parts people were convinced the "PTB" were trying to kill us all with flouride and other nastiness, so surely we shouldn;t be using their water anyway and collecting our own?
Which is it?
Originally posted by Manhater
What happens if you boil rain water, does it work for the same as regular water? I just know rain water curls my hair but regular water doesn't. Wonder what's up with that?
You're under no obligation to use the water provided by these companies, it falls out of the sky for free.
Or are we now expecting to get treated, clean water, piped directly into our homes, for free now?
Originally posted by stumason
reply to post by eXia7
Anyone with a window and a bucket could collect rain water, even in a high rise.
Anyhoo, you're kind of proving my point. No one is forcing anyone to live anywhere, especially places with little rainfall. Surely, the whole basis of society is that if you cannot do a job yourself, then you pay someone else to do it.
If you think water rates are too high, then collect your own to supplement the supply (or replace it altogether) or, if there isn't enough rainfall to do so and you still don't like the utility bills, then move.
Or are we now expecting to get treated, clean water, piped directly into our homes, for free now?
Originally posted by stumason
reply to post by Vitchilo
At this point, I think the situation changes between the UK and US, so I can only say how it is here, but our taxes go to local and national Government, not private corporations.
All of our water systems are operated by private firms, not one is Government run. Is that the case in the US, I honestly don't know? If so, then yes, I would have thought your local rates would pay for the utility....
Salt Lake City officials worked out a compromise with Miller and are now permitting him to use "their" rainwater, . . .
Utah isn't the only state with rainwater collection bans, either. Colorado and Washington also have rainwater collection restrictions that limit the free use of rainwater, but these restrictions vary among different areas of the states and legislators have passed some laws to help ease the restrictions.
In Colorado, two new laws were recently passed that exempt certain small-scale rainwater collection systems, like the kind people might install on their homes, from collection restrictions.
Originally posted by stumason
reply to post by eXia7
Oh, I understand ok enough, but what I am saying is it isn't something you're being forced to pay for. It's like complaining that food costs money. You need it, for sure, but if you don't grow your own then you have to expect to pay someone else to do it and at the price they deem suitable. Again, if you live somewhere where this isn't possible, move or pay for your food. You have a choice.
Like I said, if you live somewhere where it doesn't rain enough to collect your own and you still wish to live there, then you have to rely on the water firm to pipe it in, which costs. If you don't wish to pay that much, then move somewhere where it is cheaper or where you can collect more...
As for being at work and unable to collect rainwater? You don't need to stand there and watch a bucket fill up! It is one of those things that kind of does it itself! With a simple set up, you could boil and then condense the vapour to get pure, clean drinking water, or use filters..