White Rocker’s are dealing with a small inconvenience, but it’s one that could easily make anyone with a compromised immune system very ill. Since we are one of the only communities in the Lower Mainland not to chlorinate our water, and it looks like a animal or bird has gotten into the reservoir, they have had to drain, and sanitize everything.
White Rock is under a boil water advisory, because of the increased e-coli count. And everything from restaurants, to hospitals, to homes are affected. Bottled water is flying off the shelves. It takes a lot of water to rinse your veggies, bet you never thought about that didn’t you? Hot water doesn’t do a really great job of washing lettuce, it wilts it, so all the boiled water has to be cooled first.
Part of the advisory states that the water is still safe to shower with, well I guess that’s a good thing right? Could you imagine, 20,000 stinky people? We would all have to go down to the beach for a quick dip in the only slightly cleaner ocean each morning. The beach would be packed with everyone trying to scrub a dub dub, before leaving for work. Hey, who stole my soap?
Brushing your teeth? Don’t forget to use boiled water, rinsing off that luscious piece of just picked summer fruit? Don’t reach for the tap, bring out the boiled water. It’s only a slight inconvenience, but it certainly does make you think that we take the water from the tap for granted. There are many communities in British Columbia that have been under a boil water advisory for years. We are lucky that this only lasts for a little while. And still, we are under the mistaken knowledge that we have one of the purest waters around.
We made the front page of the 2nd biggest paper in Canada. And we were the leading story on many a day last week. While the fervor had died down a little, taken over by another “hot off the press” story, it’s still showing up on the news. And it looks like that story is old news, since we will have this advisory until at least next Monday.
So White Rock, you are famous.
Only problem, it’s for all the wrong reasons.
Pass me the bottled water please!
Oh dear Jen. Things like this make me edgy...be careful.
ReplyDeleteIt makes you realize how fortunate we are the majority of the time. That is really frightening for folks with immune deficiencies. What a handsome boy Bootsie is. Hope you have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteI hope "the problem" is corrected soon. Let me know if you'd like me to ship a couple cases of bottled water up to you. You could use one and make a million off the other!
ReplyDeleteSo inconvenient...and you're right: who stops to consider just how much water we use to rinse our veggies, etc. I hope the boil order is lifted soon.
ReplyDeleteEvery year my team's Gaelic Football tournament would be held in White Rock. Lovely place. I didn't realize the tap water there was unchlorinated. Good thing I was always too busy drinking pints of Guinness after the game to sample any of the water...
ReplyDeleteIt certainly puts things into perspective.
ReplyDeleteHope your water is pure and sparkling soon.
Wow! that is the pits hope all will be good soon.
ReplyDeletePatsy
Not an easy situation, but what a reminder of how precious water really is. We sure take it .for granted~ gail
ReplyDeleteTell me that all those mountains of plastic bottles are going to be recycled. Please? Has your drinking water been contaminated before?
ReplyDeleteJen girl we never fully realize the ease of our lives until things start to fall apart .. but Bootsie is there to save the day right ? LOL
ReplyDeleteYes .. I am one of those people with an autoimmune system and it would land me in emergency .. some what like this past Spring .. ugh ! laying on the bathroom floor for 48 hours .. well .. talk about bathmat head ? as opposed to bed head ? LOL
Nothing like an ambulance in the neighborhood to cause a lot of yapping ? haha
Hope things settle down SOON for you all and Bootsie can feel better about the newspaper headlines ? hehehe
Joy : )
I person just doesn't appreciate something until it doesn't work any longer. It is a great inconvenience to be sure. You might get blue and teeth chattering to bath in the ocean on an early morning but it would wake you up Jen LOL! Hope all is back to normal soon for you.
ReplyDeleteHI Jen, Have been a long time follower but don't think I ever posted a comment. We live on acreage in the country and have only tank water collected from rainfall. So pure and very yummy - is it an option for you guys to put in a tank - may not help initially but perhaps worth it for the future. Love your blog by the way!
ReplyDeleteCheers Gabi
Elephants Eye, we have made the almost effortless switch in the last few years to using our own drinking containers. There is a collection of stainless steel at our house, and it gets well used.
ReplyDeleteOur household at least will not be one of those purchasing bottled water. Although I can't speak for others, I do know that WR has a great recycling program, and there is no excuse for anyone to throw them in the garbage.
Jen
Bootsie looks like he is reading the paper! We take clean water for granted everyday...we are all so spoiled:)
ReplyDeleteMy inlaws lived in Hatzic for about 35 years and always had to boil their water. It is a pain. Wash your dishes? Rinse them? It is an issue for sure. Forget the water and use wine. White wine for brushing your teeth and red for everything else.
ReplyDeleteHello!Thank you for visiting my blog in de polder in Holland! It's nice to get support from all over the world! Holland is so little and full with cities; so they should be careful with every little spot of nature!
ReplyDeleteI love all the beautiful pictures you made!
Canada must be a beautiful country.
Hope you'll get clean water soon!
warm greetings from Fleur..
Hope my englisch is good enough...
Jen, You are wise to call this situation an inconvenience, but one that must be taken seriously due to the health risks. People the world over have to boil their water and some must walk miles to gather it then walk miles back before using it... we are so lucky to simply turn a tap and have it mostly work well for us. Your using the word inconvenience marks your awareness and gratitude. It is times like this that we become more thankful for our daily good fortunes. I do hope this clears up soon and that your water remains chlorinated free. It is a pity that so often bottled water containers are not recyclable. Maybe someone will use them for insulation. People can be so creative and thoughtful at times like these. Good Luck! I think bathing in the ocean sounds great! With eco-friendly soap that is! ;>)
ReplyDeleteOh dear, poor you - I know it's a bit of a hassle, but it's better than getting e-coli!
ReplyDeleteThe year we travelled we had to fetch and boil all our water - and the one time we didn't we got ill. So take care and don't stop boiling it until the authorities give you the all clear!
:)