Last night we received water restrictions because some idiot forgot to turn our city water back online after a software update which may have resulted in not only fecal coliform bacteria, but also an unknown cocktail of chemicals going into our water supply. Basically, wastewater might have back-siphoned into the storage tank. The chemicals mean that boiling is not sufficient and may only concentrate the chemicals as water boils off. They are not certain that the water is contaminated as they are still waiting for results, but you still don't want to take the chance. If contamination did occur, it may take a week before we can drink the water again.
This happened Tuesday night, yet the only reason I even found out was because the person I freecycled some baby stuff to yesterday emailed me the announcement from the health department. Fortunately, Mike got home a day early and was able to go to the store to buy some bottled water. Piper had already gone to bed so I would have had to drag her out. By the time he went to the store, he watched the last water taken off the shelf at IGA and someone in the parking lot told him Albertson's was already cleaned out. He was able to purchase the last 6 liters from a gas station on the far side of town.
It finally made the news last night, but why so late? Normally, this wouldn't annoy me that much, but now that I have little Pip I have much more to be concerned about. I have also never experienced water restrictions that boiling couldn't solve. That just presents a whole new level of challenges. Instead of continuing with my rant, I want to take some time to express some positive aspects to help me from focusing on the problem at hand. Maybe it will turn out that the contamination never occurred after all.
- I am thankful that I have always lived where water tasted good right out of the tap. This says a lot for me because I am a bit of a water snob. I don't even like most bottled waters, but a lot are just filtered tap water anyway.
- I am thankful I live in a country where we have running water that (normally) won't make you sick.
- I love that our water tastes better than Bozeman water just 10 miles away. I can actually smell the chlorine in Bozeman water if it's not chilled. I will say Bozeman water is better than buying a ton as Mike is filling up 2 5-gallon jugs today at his office.
- I love bleach. Clorox for hard surfaces and a little bit of bleach at the end of the dishwasher cycle should do the trick in the kitchen.
- I am thankful that Piper and I have not experienced any symptoms despite drinking water all day Wednesday and Thursday. It is interesting that my cold set in late Tuesday night, but I don't think that's from the water.
- I am glad that this inconvenience is only temporary.
This happened Tuesday night, yet the only reason I even found out was because the person I freecycled some baby stuff to yesterday emailed me the announcement from the health department. Fortunately, Mike got home a day early and was able to go to the store to buy some bottled water. Piper had already gone to bed so I would have had to drag her out. By the time he went to the store, he watched the last water taken off the shelf at IGA and someone in the parking lot told him Albertson's was already cleaned out. He was able to purchase the last 6 liters from a gas station on the far side of town.
It finally made the news last night, but why so late? Normally, this wouldn't annoy me that much, but now that I have little Pip I have much more to be concerned about. I have also never experienced water restrictions that boiling couldn't solve. That just presents a whole new level of challenges. Instead of continuing with my rant, I want to take some time to express some positive aspects to help me from focusing on the problem at hand. Maybe it will turn out that the contamination never occurred after all.
- I am thankful that I have always lived where water tasted good right out of the tap. This says a lot for me because I am a bit of a water snob. I don't even like most bottled waters, but a lot are just filtered tap water anyway.
- I am thankful I live in a country where we have running water that (normally) won't make you sick.
- I love that our water tastes better than Bozeman water just 10 miles away. I can actually smell the chlorine in Bozeman water if it's not chilled. I will say Bozeman water is better than buying a ton as Mike is filling up 2 5-gallon jugs today at his office.
- I love bleach. Clorox for hard surfaces and a little bit of bleach at the end of the dishwasher cycle should do the trick in the kitchen.
- I am thankful that Piper and I have not experienced any symptoms despite drinking water all day Wednesday and Thursday. It is interesting that my cold set in late Tuesday night, but I don't think that's from the water.
- I am glad that this inconvenience is only temporary.
2 comments:
That is crazy!! I can't believe it took so long for them to alert the public!! I hope no one gets sick. That is also crazy that boiling could possibly intensify the chemicals, scary. My mom was just preaching, okay, talking, to me about building up our food and water storage. I know it is important but when you hear about stuff like this it makes it seem more real. I bet there were a lot of people who couldn't get any water from the store!!
Way to look for the positive in a "crappy" situation! You're a better woman than I. My post would have been just a rant!
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