> >Y2K Study: Water Supplies Are Vulnerable (M.J. Zuckerman, USA Today) >http://www.usatoday.com/news/washdc/ncsthu09.htm > >Drinking Water, Sewage Not Ready for Y2K (NewsMax.com) >http://www.newsmax.com/articles/?a=1999/12/10/70604 > >These two articles are based on a report and press release by the Center >for Y2K & Society. So, let's just go right to the source: > >Less Than Half of Water Systems May Be Prepared for Y2K (Center for Y2K >& Society) >http://y2kcenter.org/news/1210pr.html > >"Surveys of drinking-water and wastewater facilities by industry groups >indicate that, at best, less than half these utilities are ready for the >year 2000 rollover, says a report released today by the Natural >Resources Defense Council and the Center for Y2K and Society. The most >recent detailed industry survey by the American Water Works Association >(AWWA), the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and the >National Association of Water Companies (NAWC), shows that only 20 >percent to 45 percent of drinking water systems were Y2K compliant as of >June 1999. Even these low numbers are optimistic: Of the approximately >55,000 U.S. drinking water utilities, less than 1 percent have responded >to an Y2K industry survey. AMWA's two-question follow-up survey of 118 >utilities in September was of little use because it failed to ask if >respondents had completed the final, critical phases of testing and >implementation. And the National Rural Water Association has not >released any data to the public from its recent survey. The prospects >for wastewater treatment are even worse. The most recent survey of >wastewater facilities, taken in July, indicated that only 4 percent were >ready." This goes on to say that recent assurances by the President's >Council and Senate Y2K committee were "based on a misreading of the >industry data." Both groups said that "based on industry surveys, 92 >percent of those responding are 'fully compliant.' But e-mail >correspondence from an AWWA representative indicates that this figure >refers to the readiness of internal computer systems at the responding >facilities, and not to the state of readiness of the utilities, >themselves." (I wonder what the numbers look like now, in December.) > >Y2K Risks in the Water Industry (Center for Y2K & Society and the >Natural Resources Defense Council) >http://y2kcenter.org/resources/centerpubs/index.html > >This is where you can download the 44 page report, in PDF or Word 97 >format. > ...

-- Rod (rspain@webcombo.net), December 10, 1999

Answers

This has been the top story on CNN Headline news for the past few hours. They are telling people to have 1 gal/person/day for the first few months of 2000. Maybe now the sheeple will stir? Those fear mongers at CNN.....

-- bill (bill@tinfoil.com), December 10, 1999.

CNN's saying store water for months? Is this true? If so, that's rather astounding...

Can anyone else verify this?

-- Steve (hartsman@ticon.net), December 10, 1999.

Steve,

Article as pasted from the address above.

Y2K study: Water supplies are vulnerable By M.J. Zuckerman, USA TODAY

Drinking water and sewage facilities are threatened by the looming Y2K computer glitch, according to a study by two watchdog agencies that blames government and industry with lax oversight.

"There are serious doubts that the 55,000 drinking water utilities and the 16,000 publicly owned wastewater facilities in the United States will be prepared for Y2K," the report by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center for Y2K & Society says.

The report is drawn from surveys conducted by groups such as the American Water Works Association, which found that no more than 40% of those responding had completed the first stage of Y2K upgrades by June. Further, the report notes, fewer than 15% of wastewater treatment facilities are prepared.

Although the study sparked debate among government and industry representatives, all agreed that every household should stockpile water - a gallon of water per day per person to last a minimum of four days - through the first few months of 2000.

"Clearly, many water systems are going to operate without problems," said Norman Dean, executive director of the Center for Y2K & Society. "However, our report indicates that some are likely to suffer Y2K- related problems."

With only three weeks remaining, water joins a short list of likely Y2K trouble spots, including 911 systems, schools, scattered power facilities and some medical and social service systems.

The report notes that low water pressure could interfere with firefighting, and Y2K interruptions could cut stockpiles of water treatment chemicals.

"We are very concerned about wastewater preparedness," said Don Meyer, spokesman for the Senate Y2K Committee. "However, we disagree that drinking water is in crisis."

Jon DeBoers of the American Water Works Association conceded that survey results were not entirely encouraging but said, "The vast majority of the water systems have tested most of their critical components and are confident that they are Y2K-ready."

He acknowledged that any prolonged power failure would create great difficulties for water and sewage stations.

The report blames the Environmental Protection Agency and President Clinton's Y2K Council for not responding aggressively after the surveys came out.

"My ultimate sense is that most of the large utilities are going to be prepared," said Chuck Fox, EPA deputy administrator for water. "If there's going to be (trouble), it would be with the smaller utilities."

-- waterwatereverywhere (droptodrink@soon.now), December 10, 1999.

A link for verification would certainly be appreciated!

-- Ruth Edwards (REath29646@aol.com), December 10, 1999.

The link is for verification is at the bottom of the article. This is the easiest issue to verify of all the issues that have come down the pike. CNN, USA Today, MSNBC and others are reporting on this.

-- Kings Kid (beprepared@y2k.net), December 10, 1999.

Link: The NRDC/Center for Y2K & Society report is at

http://www.y2kcenter.org/resources/centerpubs/

It explains how the industry's June report was MISINTERPRETED by the Senate Committee and the President's council, leading to an overly- rosy view of the drinking water industry's readiness.

A follow-up survey by AMWA (Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies) in September was of little use because it consisted of only two questions and failed to ask utilities if they had completed the final, most critical, and often longest phases: TESTING & IMPLEMENTATION. Of course, none of the surveys asked about IV&V.

NRWA's (National Rural Water Assn) survey hasn't even been released yet!

Recommendations for the public and questions to ask local utilities are included in the appendix.

-- d (d@d.com), December 10, 1999.

I saw this several times today and I'm sure they said 4 days. But you have to figure if they admit to that it will probably be more like 40. Was trying to store enough in bottles, but what the heck. Buying a Katadyn tommorrow if there are any to be had.

-- Gia (laureltree7@hotmail.com), December 11, 1999.

"Although the study sparked debate among government and industry representatives, all agreed that every household should stockpile water - a gallon of water per day per person to last a minimum of four days - through the first few months of 2000."

Any wonder there's confusion?

-- Steve (hartsman@ticon.net), December 11, 1999.

>last a minimum of four days....

Not very helpful for newbies trying to prep.

If you are starting now just store all the water you can in between XMas parties...

:-(

-- cgbg jr (cgbgjr@webtv.net), December 11, 1999.

Can you just imagine this---

Gov says no problems 100% good to go! - isnt that what you've been hearing?

Newspaper and Magazine reporters sharpen their sacasm skills on so called doomers for the last few months.

Oprah has a show on y2k AND THE entire hour is spent on A-OK no problem.

And then this----3 weeks before the fact!

UFB!!!!

-- d----- (dciinc@aol.com), December 11, 1999.