Water, Water Everywhere, But Not a Drop to Drink in Lindon

Today while sitting at work, I received an email from our Emergency Block Captain.  I know, I know... it's amazing that we have an Emergency Block Captain in the first place, but here in Lindon -- that was how they do it... and it was how we were introduced to quite a few of our neighbors. We moved in and not a month later we had a city emergency drill where we all gathered to our meeting places, were accounted for, and for those who couldn't make it, they had to phone in and let them know they were all safe.  I chatted with neighbors and thought it was small-town strangely cute and how it would be really useful in the event of the long overdue massive earthquake that I keep hearing about here in Utah.  {I really hope that we are spared from that ever happening}

Receiving that email this morning turned the Emergency Block Captain from strangely cute to an essential lifeline.  Our Block Captain forwarded us a Lindon City Boil Notice.  E. Coli has struck Lindon. Our water here has tested positive for E. Coli and now we are not to drink, cook, brush our teeth, wash our hands...unless the water has been boiled for at least a minute. I couldn.'t believe that they actually discouraged people from showering and from handling wet clothing that had been laundered. Seriously, does this happen in 2013?!  I checked my email many times-- probably in desperation hoping that things would be cleared up by dinner. {Though I knew that would not happen} But all the while, I kept getting information that was so useful from my Block Captain.  He sent information about what to do with this kind of situation.  Recipes for ratios to make santized water for washing hands.  I kept forwarding Matt the emails to make sure he had the information too.  Though our clean water here in Lindon was not flowing freely, the information about what was going on and how to cope was rushing down the communication canals to clueless citizens such as myself! 

I think this will be an interesting learning experience.  I realize we are not even close to prepared in the event of catastrophic occurrences.  Its right about now that I wish I had a {few} 55 gallon drums filled with water for cooking, washing and even drinking.  I am so thirsty, but with being so hot, I would like cold water that I don't have boil, throw in the fridge, and wait for it to cool.  And let's be honest, my hypochondria would set in if I drank boiled water and I would worry I'd still get sick off of it.  Ok, so after a long hard and HOT day, I needed a shower, so I braved the shower and was very careful about water getting in my face--my hypochondria was curbed enough for me to shower.

I am so very grateful for the blessings we have here.  Really we take for granted clean water and modern comforts.  I seriously do not even think a second thought of turning on my faucet and brushing my teeth or taking a drink.  That's when it hit me tonight.  I turned on the faucet and put my toothbrush under it.  Not even thinking! I yanked my toothbrush from the running water and I rinsed it in the spring water.  I am hoping no E. Coli bugs attached to my toothbrush.  Now that I do think about it- I think I'll go boil my toothbrush before another use.  Not going to take too many chances.

So here are a few key facts about the worldwide water crisis from water.org


I can say that I feel like now would be a great time to start a fundraiser for the water crisis here in Lindon.  I am seriously considering it! 

I thought it would be neat to cite some water facts with my little entry here, but just in looking it up, I was shocked myself to read some of these things.

I think it's rough working full-time and then coming home, cooking,  cleaning and taking care of a lot around the house.  Naive me reading that, "Women spend 200 million hours a DAY collecting water"-- has simply humbled me.

I am SO blessed. 

I am so ungrateful day-to-day for what God has given me.


In the midst of such a small "tragedy" in my everyday life, I am thankful.  Thankful for the reminder that I have so much.  Thankful to ponder on those who have so little, but live so joyfully. Thankful for a reminder to simplify and be happy.

Goodnight to all and to all-- clean water in the morning... {I HOPE!}