Why do we pay for water based on usage rather than a set fee?

[Matty]

When I turn my faucet on, or flush my toilet, or take a shower, I am not causing more work to be done for workers at the local department, I am not requiring more treatment to take place, etc.

My entire "cost" of using water is when I have pipes connected to my house.

With that in mind, wouldn't it make sense to charge me a set fee rather than paying based on how much I use?

[Dr. MB]

Some people hardly use water; some take 45-minute showers twice a day. People that use more water should need to pay more for it.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Some people hardly use water; some take 45-minute showers twice a day. People that use more water should need to pay more for it.

Pretty much this.

[Person Man]

You know that this is just to make the argument against net neutrality.  At least the internet doesn't run on prior appropriate or a seniority of bandwidth type situation. Of course this is an apples to oranges comparison because we can still make much more bandwidth. Not so with water.

[dead0man]

the premise is false.  Using more water causes more work at the water department, coming and going.  Sure it's a tiny tiny tiny TINY fraction of work, but that doesn't mean there isn't work being done.

[DC Al Fine]

the premise is false.  Using more water causes more work at the water department, coming and going.  Sure it's a tiny tiny tiny TINY fraction of work, but that doesn't mean there isn't work being done.

Exactly. They have to pump the water out of a lake, treat it so its drinkable and send it along to your house. If you use more water, there's more pumping and treating and wear and tear on assets.

[muon2]

A good portion of the cost of municipal water is paying for the infrastructure. The biggest cost is that of the plant and pumps. Those need to be replaced and upgraded at times, sometimes directly and sometimes though municipal bonds. The price of water reflects dividing those costs based on the amount of usage. The cost of the service lines to individual homes is relatively small compared to the plant costs.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

When I turn my faucet on, or flush my toilet, or take a shower, I am not causing more work to be done for workers at the local department, I am not requiring more treatment to take place, etc.

My entire "cost" of using water is when I have pipes connected to my house.

With that in mind, wouldn't it make sense to charge me a set fee rather than paying based on how much I use?

I think it is the same reason that 500 acres of land costs more than 50.

[Since I'm the mad scientist proclaimed by myself]

Water is a scarce and vital resource and overuse should be discouraged (also capitalism).