"We are already paying for our water through our taxes"
I have to pay for my water, electricity to pump the water, depreciation on the pump, maintainence the cost of drilling the well, etc. etc. I don't get a lump of money from the tax man to pay for this.
and I have to pay taxes for your water.
I'm strongly in favour of the water charges. However the whole thing seems a bit over complicated for political reasons, people will be paying for the free allowances some way.