On 20 Sep 2008, at 10:21, Adrian Stott wrote: > - Water supply from feeders, reservoirs, etc. is effectively a fixed > cost. > > Water supplied by backpumping is a variable cost > > - Backpumping is needed only when locks are used in dry periods > > - Boats on a summit that don't use locks are floating in water that is > supplied as part of a fixed cost, even during dry times, so there is > no justification for charging them for backpumping > > - Boats using locks on dry routes are using lockage water that is > supplied by backpumping, so there is justification for charging them a > locking toll. > > In summary, boats floating in, but not locking in or out of, a summit > are not benefiting from backpumping, so they should not be charged for > it. > > Clear now?
No. Those boats in the summit pound are floating only because of the back-pumping. As a boater I assume you regard the ability to float as a benefit? And if you value the ability to continue to float on a man- made waterway in the long-term then you have to regard those boats passing in and out of the summit pound as essential to the long-term justification of the fixed man-made water supply costs. Share all the costs - share all the benefits. -- Andy Greener n.b. Whisper Pangbourne, UK http://www.nb-whisper.com "Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid"
