Water – More for Sale

Former Governor Graham caution Florida lawmakers yesterday that pending legislative action "would cause considerable damage to the Everglades and cause Floridians to lose control of thousands of acres of wetlands."

From the Palm Beach Post: "Speaking to the Florida Legislative Everglades Caucus, Graham called on them to reject two water measures he called 'not just the camel's nose but the camel's neck and shoulders under the tent of privatization of water.' HB 639 would allow utilities to have permanent ownership of water they have used and treated."

This bill if enacted would change the current law that clearly defines water as belonging to the people – not to the municipality as the City of Marco Island incorrectly believes. Hence, rogue and privately controlled municipalities like the City of Marco Island (read: STRP, the syndicate, compliant judges, etc…) would be allowed to use water as another commodity by which to tax at politically advantageous (condominium) or disadvantageous (home owners) rates.

Namely, from the water belonging to the people (now treated water being injected into the aquifer for the most part), to being sold back to the people – wait! Isn't that what they syndicate promised with the STRP – non-potable treated water being sent back to the houses for irrigation? How did that work out for those STRP supporters?

Here on Marco Island, except for a handful of ignored former residents, no one actually cares about water, water conservation or water quality – unless it impacts them financially when paying their monthly water bill.

And that water bill will go up if the above noted House Bill becomes law since it would allow the City of Marco Island to further commoditize water.