35 things I have learned by having my tap water taken away
I live in that small town in southern Colorado recently afflicted with salmonella in the water, and I would probably be remiss if I didn’t blog about what this experience has taught me.
1) It takes approximately four 16.9 fluid ounce bottles of water to boil a package of spaghetti.
2) When I drain the spaghetti, my eyes reflexively weep a little when they witness 67.6 fluid ounces going down the pipes.
3) Because I’ve paid approximately seven cents per fluid ounce.
4) Which is approximately 385 times more than what I pay when it comes from the faucet.
5) I suddenly realize that tears are water and maybe I should make an effort to capture those for things like boiling spaghetti.
6) I wouldn’t even need to add salt.
7) I’m on autopilot before my morning cup of coffee.
8) Therefore, I instinctively turn on the faucet and stick my toothbrush under it before my mind sufficiently awakens to the reality of my salmonella-laden existence.
9) I remember the salmonella when I’m a gargle away from finishing.
10) And then I gag.
11) And run down to open two more bottles of water so that I can have my morning coffee.
12) With a side order of vigilance.
13) They are flushing the system with high doses of chlorine, so we are to do NOTHING with the city water outside of flushing until further notice. This means that mopping is a luxury.
14) Using wipies to wash your hands just isn’t the same.
15) Hand sanitizers aren’t much better.
16) Sometimes you just NEED to run your hands under hot, soapy water.
17) And scrub.
18) Friends who live in the neighboring county are precious people.
19) They lend you their showers.
20) They bring you five-gallon jugs of their private well water.
21) They say things like, “Let’s have a laundry-washing party at my place!�
22) They actually make a water crisis feel fun.
23) Grandmothers and sisters who live 500 miles away in another state are precious people, too.
24) They take kids for a week so that you’re only washing a third of the dishes you’d normally be washing…
25) In a tub…
26) Out back…
27) With the boiled bottled water.
28) Indoor camping sucks.
29) Washing fruits and veggies has become highly unimportant.
30) Clothes don’t seem quite so dirty anymore.
31) Shaving is not really as necessary as I thought it was.
32) Neither is running the humidifier.
33) Or using my Neti-Pot.
34) But I REALLY miss ice.
35) And not having to think before I brush.
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Ugggggh. I think this would be such a nightmare. I am a shower hound and just don’t think I would survive. How much longer do you have to go?
How horrible..but funny! I am glad to see you’re surviving!
Wow. That’s an amazing adventure which is no doubt making you so much more thankful than ever before. We should all be so lucky to have such an awakening experience. Thank you for sharing it.
I can’t imagine how you all are making it down there. And I still can’t believe that this happened, and how! Insanity. On the bright side, with the amount of chlorine whizzing through your pipes, you’re not going to need to disinfect your toilets for awhile. ;)
I started trying to figure out if there are ways to reuse spaghetti water, just reading this!
We all take our tap water for granted. I hope you’re done with the headache soon!
Nobody’s really sure, Candace. We’ve actually moved up to stage 2 since I wrote this, which means we can start to do other things now such as washing our clothes. But still, no drinking or brushing or cooking. Or mopping. (ok, I made that last one up.)
You have no idea how much your well wishes and empathy mean. Thank you all so very much!!
I stayed in my nice, warm shower an extra few minutes just for you this morning, Catherine. Here’s some vicarious wishes sent your way. :-)
Have you had to throw away a bazillion salmonella tooth brushes because that brush under the water is almost instinct! I feel for you. We have hurricanes and end up with icky water but at least it’s not salmonella water. You are welcome to come shower here. :) Hang in there!
I’ve just been told we can actually shower now, Amber… so long as we do it with our mouths shut!
The water is still uningestible. (is that a word?)
But, yes, out with the toothbrushes, Simplypink. Not to mention that freezer full of ice. And that pitcher of lemonade I had just made. And then there’s all that clothes I needed to rewash… the irritations go on and on… but I do believe this is all much better than a hurricane!
Bleah! I read about this while I was in Texas. I’m sorry you’ve had to go without water. It’s amazing how much of our lives depend upon the simplicities of running water and electricity. At least electricity doesn’t get salmonella, eh?
- Sarah
http://www.imaginarybinky.com
Oh you poor thing. I’ve heard all about this in the news and it just makes me sad. It’s amazing how much we rely on water for things.
Let me know if you need anything!
http://andallthejonesmen.blogspot.com
I have felt sooo bad for you!!! But you are taking it with grace and humor, as always!!!
Just so that you will not feel alone in all this – I will vow not to wash laundry this week!
Ok, maybe it IS a bit self-serving, using your misfortune as my excuse from doing something I already hate, but…what are friends for?! ;)
Hang in there, Catherine!