A member of the Council of Ministers has denied the so-called 'toilet tax' is a way of covering the MEA's debt when it combines with the Water and Sewerage Authority.
Phil Gawne says the plan to introduce a flat charge for sewage disposal has been considered for some time.
A petition against the charge had attracted almost 3,000 signatures by first thing this morning.
It was launched on Saturday morning.
Speaking on Manx Radio's Present Politics programme, Mr Gawne gave this thoughts on the matter:
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