The chairman of the Water and Sewerage Authority insists there is no alternative to the so-called toilet tax.
A petition opposing its planned introduction in April has attracted thousands of signatures since it was launched on Saturday.
John Houghton MHK says the £50 per-household charge may be unwelcome, but is absolutely necessary to cover the cost of sewage disposal.
Mr Houghton says he regrets having to introduce an unpopular additional cost for hard-pressed Island residents:
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More work needed on Heysham linkspan, says owners
It was damaged last August when the Manxman collided with a wall
Outpatients Physiotherapy reopens self-referral pathway
No longer necessary to see GP first
Isle of Man’s political system 'no longer fit for purpose', says former government insider
Ex-press officer and journalist warns blurred lines between government and parliament threaten the integrity of the Island's democracy
Committee chair hopes civil servants won't be blocked from future evidence sessions
Jason Moorhouse has welcomed government's response to the Economic Policy Review Committee
Does current system of government give CoMin too much power?
An MHK says government has an 'automatic veto' while a political commentator fears the system 'lacks democracy'
