To the editor
During late spring, summer and early fall, the City of Thunder Bay annually encourages property owners to beautify their property by promoting contests and awarding recognitions for the plushest, greenest lawns and healthiest gardens, both individually and in neighbourhoods; all of which requires an enormous amount of water to consistently maintain, especially on large properties.
This water does not become sewage waste and does not enter into the city’s sewer system or treatment plant, yet the city knowingly, without a doubt, continues to rip off and rob these property owners by charging them the 75 per cent-plus sewer rate – under the circumstances a totally unfair method – on top of the water used, which in dollars and cents is greater than the amount of the water charge.
This water consumption is distinct from the water used to flush a toilet, wash dishes or clothes or taking a shower or bath. Yet initially it flows through the same water meter. However, at this point the rip-off rate begins to kick in.
This distinct water consumption is not flushed into the sewer system. Nonetheless, the city continues to charge the users the unjust 75 per cent sewer-rate charge.
Nevertheless, since household sewer meters aren’t a reality in Thunder Bay, and with the 2013 budget time soon approaching, the city must, in all fairness, implement a fixed sewer charge similar to an amount used before water meters were installed and the existing garbage collection fixed charge, which would eliminate the rip-off portion of the sewer rate.
All property owners pay the same fixed charge for garbage collection, regardless if weekly they put out the maximum three containers or bags, or none at all.
The water charge appears to be legitimate. However, the rip-off portion of the sewer charge is not. The alarming this is that the city has been aware of this rip-off charge for years and it appears they don’t know how to split the two – or they just don’t want to rectify it.
A note from the archives – this sewer charge was to be eliminated decades ago, however it keeps drastically increasing.
It appears that it’s too good a money grabber to let it go. Readers, if the foregoing assumptions are incorrect, please respond to Thunder Bay Source accordingly.
Stan Zapior,Thunder Bay
