Since you are so allergic to calling this a tax, give me you definition of a tax. I used Merriam-Webster, don't be too obtuse.
I am calling this water tax a tax. If you want to address the others, those are red herrings. With fees you have the option of not paying by not using the service. I don't know too many who can do without water.
Your definition
"Gov'ts. charge lots of fees that are not taxes."
Since you are so allergic to calling this a tax, give me you definition of a tax. I used Merriam-Webster, don't be too obtuse.
I am calling this water tax a tax. If you want to address the others, those are red herrings. With fees you have the option of not paying by not using the service. I don't know too many who can do without water.