Granted, we all take for granted that when we turn on the faucets, we will be rewarded with a steady flow of water. Today is no different than any other day (other than being the day after the Steeler Super Bowl win), and we got up, started the coffee pot, brushed teeth...only to receive an automated phone call from the school system. These calls normally come in the wee hours of the morning or very late at night to announce a school delay or cancellation. The call at 8:45 am, stated that the two local high schools (one parochial/one public) would be dismissing immediately due to "contaminated water issues", at 8:15 am. Nothing like calling 1/2 hour after the dismissal.But I digress...now I have to find out wtf is going on with the water situation. This is the department I was head of for five years - and I'm not seeing any "informative" messages on the TV, other than the prior mentioned phone call.
This is not a minor situation...apparently sometime over the weekend, the chemicals used at the water treatment plant were either mislabeled or mishandled, but HYDROCHLORIC ACID was entered into the water system. The alert is telling people NO WATER USAGE at all, till further notice.
After receiving as much information as possible, I started calling people, who I know have no children in the school system, and do not watch TV in the mornings to alert them to the problem, and encourage them to call others who may not have access to this info.
I finally get hold of a friend in the City Building and tell them to have the mayor call me, as I am livid. With an issue such as this - the water service should have been shut down, turned off completely, till resolved. We have four water tanks holding thousands of gallons of water throughout the town, that now need to be emptied and flushed, this will definitely take a great portion of the day. Businesses are affected, restaurants will have to close (cannot cook or wash dishes), many situations to be dealt with here. The EPA is on its way here - and this will be a financial kick in the ass to this poor village. The hospital, doctor's offices will not be able to function at optimum levels either.
I just do not understand the dragging of feet here. Water buffaloes need to be brought in to service the residents - and no arrangements have been made in that area either.
I can see now, I am going to have to scream a little louder and force some issues. I basically am worried about the elderly, which comprise approximately 45% of our residents.
Oh hell, I need to go make some more calls...I will return later..............
