One of the benefits of paying SCVWD even if we don't use their water right now is having a backup, should anything happen to Hetch Hetchy over the coming decades. While a fallback wouldn't be automatic, we'd surely in a better position to claim the right to draw water from county aquifers if we'd been paying into the system all along. With climate change, environmental concerns and population growth all increasing pressure on fresh water resources, trading a potential Plan B away for 37 bucks a year per household seems foolish.

I had a feeling this would happen. Berkeley just announced they want to eliminate disposable cups. The solution would be to bring your own mug when you get coffee and wash it. Now the water you wash you cup with, they're going to want to tax you on it. It is just going to be an endless cycle.

Self-serving, corrupt bureaucrats will always be self-serving corrupt bureaucrats. Just look at our local governments, school districts, and "Community Colleges". Everyone loses except for the bureaucrats, who have turned local public orgs into criminal enterprises. Should we prosecute them under RICO???

As to your question: It's doubtful that RICO could be used in this case.

But it's certain that the Russian troll farm you work from should be investigated by the Mueller team.

This is beyond ridiculous. The city counsel sells water rights to E Palo Alto in perpetuity for a flat fee. Now, who’s stuck holding the bag?

Sick, sick, sick.

Just how insane are things going to get before someone puts on a thinking cap?

If the water is paid for directly the people will conserve. if it is just another item on the tax bill no one will pay that much attention.
Do those who live in multiple unit apartments pay for their own water?
And how about industrial use. will they conserve?
If we have long periods of drought we all may need this water and we.d better conserve as much as we can..