Last week I spoke to the person in charge of y2k efforts for water distribution in the city where I live, Chandler, AZ. He basically said that the city is in good shape and that they are in the testing phase. The city of Chandler(pop. of around 75,000) is a rapidly growing city and much of the equipment being used is fairly new. He said that they are checking with the vendors for y2k compliancy. I was told that of course much depends on electrical and telecommunications industries and said he hoped that they were ready. He also told me that there is a 3 day reserve supply.

-- B.Clark (mrmomx6@aol.com), March 29, 1999

Answers

I am also in a town with about a 3 day supply of water, but I'm not sure that means much in a Y2K situation. It is tempting to wait until the power go out before filling my containers. The problem is, I can see the water tanks emptying and water pressure going dead almost immediately if everyone in my neighborhood tries that. On the ohter hand, without power, it probably represents far more than 3 days worth, because activities like washing clothes or hot showers are likely to be curtailed. Just depends who gets to the water first. Here in the soggy northeast, water use for all purposes is assumed to be approximately 50 gallons per bedroom per day, including leaky pipes and gardening, so we're normally pretty wasteful.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), March 29, 1999.

Can someone tell me why after every power outtage as I recall, there was still water coming from the faucet? It usually lasted hours or at most 2 days. Are you saying that there will be only enough power left to pump water for 3 days and no more? Please explain. Thank you.

-- Linda (Linda24@gina.com), March 29, 1999.

Most likely it means the water is temporarily stored in elevated watertanks which feed out to the customers by gravity. In my town, the tanks (called "standpipes" on the USGS topo maps) are located on top of hills.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), March 29, 1999.