Manx Utilities Authority chiefs admit there may be some inconsistencies with the way the toilet tax is charged.
Critics of the new flat rate £50-a-household sewerage charge maintain it is unfair and poorly thought through.
Last week, Isle of Man Newspapers highlighted one glaring inconsistency in Peel.
Residents of the Westlands sheltered housing complex are having to pay the full £50 each if they live in the bungalows at Westlands – but the 67 households in the self-contained flats opposite will pay the charge collectively, which will be between £1 and £2 each.
A spokesman for the MUA said the authority was working to ensure charges are allocated correctly. She said: ‘We recognise there may be some inconsistencies with the current sewerage charging system which relate to the assessment of vulnerable customers. As a result, we are currently working with “not for profit” and sheltered housing accommodation centres to ensure charges are correctly allocated.’
Peel commissioner Ian Davison said: ‘The only way to describe this toilet tax is unfair. It will affect every household for the foreseeable future, a cost that will increase year on year and will eventually cost each household as much as £400 and possibly more. Remember this tax does not have a cap and can rise year on year. It has never been thought through properly and has been imposed on the residents as a way of raising money to cover debts and loans after years of failings by consecutive governments on white elephant grandiose schemes that have cost millions.
‘The Westlands situation shows just how unfair this tax is. It will affect the old, less well off and vulnerable members of society the most.
‘Let’s hope pensions rise to keep up with the growing costs but I very much doubt that will be the case.
‘I still cannot see how the residents of Peel should be paying this tax considering Peel has no sewage treatment facility.’