"Consumer poll" values water softeners
Areas like Florida and California where population growth has outstripped fresh drinking water supplies, regularly consider denying homeowners the free use of water-using appliances like water softeners, dishwashers, etc. as a means of reducing water use. With that thought in mind, consider this news from Southwest Florida.
Lee County Sheriff' 's officials, earlier this month, reported appliance thefts at new home construction sites: 81 such thefts were reported January-June (lest you think it's a crime wave, this is about a 1% theft rate for new homes). Thieves are "consumers" of a sort, so some free market research is available. Top "choices" were, natch, air conditioners (58), followed by ovens (17), then water softeners, tied with refrigerators (13) and trailing badly, washing machines (10). Criminals want to be cool, but not clean, I guess.
