Funny how the things you now take for granted like water and electricity in a big western country are not that granted everywhere! To be honest, I never paid that much attention to the price of utilities when I was in Paris, because from the very first times I moved into my own place I knew it was something you had to pay and that it was not very expensive. Now that I am in Malta, I had to look into all this with much more attention for they have a different system here: the more you use electricity and water, the more you pay - that is the more each kwh and cubic meter is expensive. This to encourage households to be "reasonable". These bottles are part of the Eau de Paris collection, that you can find at the
Pavillon de l'eau in the 16th arrondissement.
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I had no idea that utilities in France weren't based on consumption. In the US it is based on consumption as well.
ReplyDeleteWell it is, but the price of a cubic meter remains the same no matter how much you use. In Malta it remains the same until a certain threshold (33 cubic meters per person per year) then almost triples afterwards.
DeleteLol ! But with the swimming pool and the sea I probably could manage a little restriction ;-))
DeleteIn my Brooklyn co-op, I don't pay for water (or maybe I do in the form of maintenance that includes property taxes?), but I know my next electric bill will be a bit higher because of the Christmas-tree lights. :~}
ReplyDeleteLOOOOL Christgmas-tree lights yeah... You probably pay for water, but like you said it's probably included in the maintenance charges.
DeletePrograms like that to reduce consumption are going to be more and more common. Climate change and droughts have forced governments to pay attention. Many of us are very spoiled by cheap water and cheap power. Many city governments hear loud protests from their citizens when such programs are proposed, but people don't understand that providing power and water is a very expensive activity. The other one is wastewater treatment. Very expensive. Most people understand that roads cost money because they see all the construction and the roads are very visible. The other things like utilities are 'hidden'. -Jeff
ReplyDeleteYou are very right Jeff. In fact, until I moved, I never really paid attention to this.
DeleteNice light in this shot, Eric.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful that we have access to clean water? There are so many millions in the world that don't. Makes me really glad every time I open the tap and clean, fresh water comes out. :)
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