During this period last year, we were undergoing a water contamination scare. (Link: http://columbiapa-17512.blogspot.com/2013/03/columbia-water-customers-should-not.html?m=0)
After workers found evidence of tampering at the water storage tanks located between Chickies Hill Road and Laurel Hill Cemetery, it was thought possible that someone had contaminated Columbia's water supply. An investigation ensued, and the water was later deemed safe.
On September 3, the PUC conducted a public hearing on an unrelated matter: Columbia Water Company's rate hike request. At that hearing, I asked Water Company representatives what, if anything, had been done to ensure the safety of the water storage tanks. I don't recall their attorney's exact reply, only that it was vague and tentative, which leads me to believe the company had not implemented any measures except, perhaps, the hope that the crisis would be forgotten.
Well, we have not forgotten. Therefore, I am asking publicly - once again - of any Columbia Water Company representatives who might be reading this, or of anyone else "in the know": What safety and security measures have been put in place to protect our water supply?
After workers found evidence of tampering at the water storage tanks located between Chickies Hill Road and Laurel Hill Cemetery, it was thought possible that someone had contaminated Columbia's water supply. An investigation ensued, and the water was later deemed safe.
On September 3, the PUC conducted a public hearing on an unrelated matter: Columbia Water Company's rate hike request. At that hearing, I asked Water Company representatives what, if anything, had been done to ensure the safety of the water storage tanks. I don't recall their attorney's exact reply, only that it was vague and tentative, which leads me to believe the company had not implemented any measures except, perhaps, the hope that the crisis would be forgotten.
Well, we have not forgotten. Therefore, I am asking publicly - once again - of any Columbia Water Company representatives who might be reading this, or of anyone else "in the know": What safety and security measures have been put in place to protect our water supply?
Perhaps you cannot recall their attorney's exact reply because there was not an exact reply. I attended this hearing and I do not recall a clear answer, as I recall this was the last question of the evening. I get the feeling nothing more has been done to ensure security. That would cost money, but wait a minute, they want to raise the rates, but not to cover any new security measures being added.
ReplyDeleteThat's my impression, too.
DeleteThe risk of bad water can't be much higher then the risk of breathing the air every tine a dump truck packed full of household contaminants comes flying though town with dripping slop running out the tailgate which washes in to the storm drains and on to the river where the Columbia water comes from ! How many times has a truck been pulled over and cited for bad trash practices ? And how strict is the landfill when you go to dump ? Take a poll and see if any Columbia Water Company employees EVER even drink the water ? I wonder if old Donald every even drank a cup of it ??
ReplyDeleteI'll bet Donald doesn't drink it.
DeleteAnd council members and borough staffers drink bottled water at the council meetings. Try to find "bottled water" in the annual budget.
DeleteAs I said before, remember the golden rule, They who have the GOLD makes the RULES!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's for sure. It's becoming increasingly evident in all facets of life.
Deletei agree...i can't imagine that the Donald would spend a dime on security for the water system....but wait a minute...maybe homeland security would be interested to know that nothing has been done to secure it.......
ReplyDeletedo you ever put water in a pan and let it sit (say on a radiator to put moisture in the air?) look at that water daily and see all the junk it creates. scary. i won't drink it.
why doesn't the water co have a handicapped accessible ramp????????
"Junk it creates"? You must have discovered the secret of alchemy. Awesomeness.
DeleteBut to be serious for a minute, the water is not distilled So yeah, it does have stuff like chlorine, and bits of pieces from the pipes in it. Small price to pay to have stuff that comes out of your faucet 24/7. And considering most peoples' diets and habits, tap water is the least of their concerns. It sure beats people that use well water and never test it. Talk about Russian roulette.
--FMB
(no, I don't work for a water company)
can't imagine how the water passes for drinking.....
ReplyDeleteI've resorted to bottled water, which is probably just as bad in its own way.
DeleteAt work, we have bottled water (since we work in places that don't have running water readily available) . It's just municipal water from a town in Tennessee that was bottled.
DeleteThat water company is pretty darn old, and the people in the town are still alive. One hell of a track record. People need to chill out and worry about real problems.
--FMB
A man went to visit his 90 year old grandfather and while eating the breakfast of eggs and bacon prepared for him, he noticed a film-like substance on his plate. So he says, "Grandfather, are these plates clean?" His grandfather replies, "Those plates are as clean as cold water can get them, so go on and finish your meal." That afternoon, while eating the hamburgers his grandfather made for lunch, he noticed many little black specks around the edge of his plate so again he asked, "Grandfather are you sure these plates are clean?" Without looking up from his burger, the grandfather says, "I told you those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them, now don''t ask me about it anymore." Well, later that day, they were on their way out to get dinner. As he was leaving the house, grandfather''s dog who was lying on the floor started to growl and would not let him pass. "Grandfather, your dog won''t let me out." Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching, his grandfather shouted, "Coldwater, get out of the way!"
ReplyDeletePretty funny. Highlights the different perceptions of "clean."
Delete