Waiting For The All Clear

First thing Friday morning I read online that the customers of SIRWA (Southern Iowa Rural Water Association) were being advised to boil their drinking water before using because of a problem at the treatment plant. Nothing was mentioned about us (town residents) being affected. It was noon before we knew the town of Creston was included in the boil order, at which time we were also informed that the grocery stores and Walmart were out of bottled water until more was delivered. Luckily we had almost a full 24 pack of bottled water on hand.

Saturday afternoon when I went to Fareway there was a pallet of bottled water near the grocery carts and several more pallets in the aisle where the flavored and plain bottled waters are located. It was being reported that it would be the first of the week before they knew how long the boil order would last, so I bought  another 24 pack.

With just the two of us, the boil order hasn't been too much of a big deal. The hardest part is just remembering not to drink a glass of water out of the tap or use ice from the ice maker. (Which, note to self: Don't forget to empty when the all clear is announced.) But I feel sorry for families with little kids or people who are caretakers for someone. And the care centers and hospital; how do they prepare meals for everyone?

According to officials, the water could contain bacteria, viruses and parasites which could cause nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea. Sometime in the night I awoke with a kinda' crampy feeling in my tummy. My first thought, "Oh no! Did I forget and ingest some bad water?" But I woke up this morning feeling fine.

I also think about the people in the world who do not have easy access to potable water. And how much water we Americans waste every single day. Having to stop and think about boiling our water for a few days seems trivial.

I did mention to Bud that we could always drive down to Carbon to the Elm Spring if need be. People have been using it as their drinking water source for more than a hundred years. I bet there were a number of SIRWA customers filling their water jugs there this weekend.

I fully expect we will be told today or tomorrow that we can go back to using our tap water. If not, well, I have a backup plan.