UNDER cover of the bombshell news that most ministers want to close St Andrew’s School, the figures for the so-called ‘toilet tax’ were released to little fanfare last week by the Public Services Department.

While it has been established for more than a year that islanders will have to pay to dispose of their wastewater in much the same way as they pay for electricity and gas, this is the first chance to gauge just how painful that new tax will be.

The first issue of note is that PSD has decided this is the moment to make islanders pay if they want to stop dumping sewage out to sea.

Essentially, if we are all committed to ending what has become an unacceptable practice, it is no use waiting for ‘general revenue’ to stump up the cash.

That money, as has been clear for some time, will go towards building a new runway, new schools and/or a new mental health unit. In terms of absolute necessity, sewage treatment struggles – in that company – to make the grade.

To start the ball rolling, PSD wants to charge each household and business unit a flat rate of £50 a year. This funds ‘investigations into full sewage treatment’.

There will also be a fixed charge of £30 towards maintaining the existing system.

On top of that, properties will either pay a rate based on TRP or a metered rate for all their water.

Examples are given which show annual bills ranging from £125 for a small property to £215 for a large home (both unmetered).

Those on cesspits will still pay the annual charges but their bill per load will be halved to £5. Nevertheless, as from next year, the owner of a large domestic property (TRP 275) on cesspit can expect his or her annual bill to go up by a third to £350.

As is often the way with such matters, it is likely that many householders will not realise the implications of this month’s States decision until the first bill hits their doormat.

Given that some of the less well off face an increase of 1,850%, it is unlikely to receive a warm welcome.