Rant

I wouldn't say you lease it. It's free with trash service, but they typically take it if you have out-standing dues so the trash folk won't take your trash until you pay the bill.

I had to pay an extra set up fee to get them to bring it back when I got a job and could start paying them again.

Yes. Pretty much. And you have to pay extra for two if you need more room. And you have to use their bin, they won't pick up just any old bin.

I mean, it's both.

Hmm, looks like it's 5CAD/m^3^ here, and another 2CAD for sewerage. There's a hint on the bill that it might get higher if you're a big consumer, but I don't actually know. (1kL = 1m^3^)

You're right, it's not huge, but if you own a swimming pool I imagine it can still add up. My friend who's a seasoned municipal worker says it's way lower than what it should be, too, although I can't confirm that's a numerically informed position.

The provisioning of free landfilling and free roads and parking definitely has had unfortunate side-effects, at least.

If they are using more than they really need, there's plenty wrong with that. Water may be recyclable but there's still only so much to go around at once. And I mean in general.

I think it's a pretty good indicator. Because that's how a lot of people treat things when they go from having to pay for there usage to getting it free. Think of how many people waste food at buffets cause they paid a flat rate to get in. There's no incentive to be conservative.

Same here

The usual process is that if you don't pay your bill then the city worker comes out to shut off the water, then if you still don't pay it they send the bill to collections

At no point is law enforcement involved

According the bill, it wasn't even due yet

City hall is getting an earful in the morning

Not only is it inappropriate, it's dangerous. Someone beating on my door aggressively at 8 at night instinctively made me think about grabbing a weapon.

Instead I peered through a window and saw the cop and his car and opened the door.

But people can be jumpy, fight or flight kicks in and suddenly someone gets seriously hurt or even dead over a stupid water bill.

He first tried to verify my identification without stating the nature of his visit. He asked me for my name and date of birth. Instead of giving that to him I asked to state the nature of his visit.

Then he asked again. I never gave him my name even though he asked for it repeatedly.

He said he wanted to make sure it ended up at the right house. He read off the address and I just looked at the number on the house and pointed to the mailbox.

I'm not identifying myself to the police for no real legal justification or taking hand receipt of a document, God knows if it's some kind of ploy to initiate some other charge.

ACAB