Should feds regulate showerheads?

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by bhunter

You obviously like a large intrusive government. Is there any area where you would not like federal involvement? Where would you draw the line? Is there really a compelling need for regulations on shower heads sufficient to warrant the expense and usurpation of free market choices? The issue is silly and ought be a poster for out of control government. Why can some people have swimming pools that lose substantial amounts of water through evaporation, but I can't enjoy an invigorating shower? Where do you stop? Do you put timers on showers? Hell, that ought be a real female gender political winner.

What is the free market going to do to address water shortages? Price it out of everyone's reach?

We expect government to provide us with sufficient water for home use, manufacturing use, navigational use, irrigation. The feds are responsible for water sources that move interstate - just think of the problems there would be if upstream states diverted all of the water for their own use, or dumped all of their crap to flow into the next state. With that type of responsibility, and some real water issues in many places, isn't a regulation, which causes people to use less water, a reasonable means of meeting government's responsibility?

Regards,

D-Ray

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

What is the free market going to do to address water shortages? Price it out of everyone's reach?

We expect government to provide us with sufficient water for home use, manufacturing use, navigational use, irrigation. The feds are responsible for water sources that move interstate - just think of the problems there would be if upstream states diverted all of the water for their own use, or dumped all of their crap to flow into the next state. With that type of responsibility, and some real water issues in many places, isn't a regulation, which causes people to use less water, a reasonable means of meeting government's responsibility?

Regards,

D-Ray

We've had water shortages periodically in California. There are always regulations trying to restrict residential water usage; however, last I looked residential usage was relatively small compared to agriculture. If you want to restrict my shower head, then I suggest we eliminate all lawns and flowerbeds and restrict inefficient agricultural use. Come to think of it, there are all kinds of things that can be eliminated to save water. We could even go back to natural irrigation patterns, but then we'd be hungry. It's an inconvenience that makes do-gooders feel good while only marginally saving water. Just because a shower head is low flow does not mean that it will actually save water. I know from experience that it takes longer to shower with a low flow shower head. Oh, and remember that you can always cut back the flow by turning the knob. BTW, here in SD we have meters and are charged for water usage. Typically, I pay about $100-135/mo for water and sewage. The quality of that water still necessitates the purchase of bottled water for drinking.