Moreover, collection of wastewater
fees is difficult because most of the local people, especially
in cities, strongly resist payment of the fee. Exacerbating the shortfall
in funds to pay for system maintenance, the mayors and staff
on most municipal administrations hold their positions through
democratic elections. The widespread public resistance to payment
of the wastewater treatment fee means that elected public officers
are sensitive to public backlash at the ballot box. Accordingly, the
wastewater treatment fees policy is all but moribund