Mmmm, homemade soy latte made with boiled water from the forest floors of the North Shore. A true woodland treat. Day 4 of the boil water advisory started with sun, but has moved on to threatening clouds. And more cloudy, turbid water. The water from the tap is just a shade lighter than the colour of the water that leaks into my hallway from our rotten roof. Yes, the letter to the landlord has been drafted and will be sent out after it is ratified. In it I ask for a refund on the rent increase that he started charging in the summer. How many want to place bets that he's going to ignore it completely since it asks for actual money back?
I think, despite the inconvenience, that there are some positive aspects to the boil water advisory. If nothing else, it should make people start realizing how much we take clean water for granted and how easily our supply can be imperiled. Unclean water is a reality for most of the people in the world, when it is available at all. Even in Canada, where a large percentage of the world's clean water rests, 76 First Nation reserves have been under long standing boil water advisories. Some communities are facing the issue of relocation due to unclean water. And here in the city, we waste it just cuz we can. We use pure tap water to clean our cars, hose down the sidewalk, flush our toilets and water our ugly lawns.
The negative impacts are felt most by the poorest populations in the city. Access to good water is already an issue, and now people are going for days without drinking, because it's not safe. This is a public health issue in more ways than one: if you are street involved, or living in an SRO, there is a likehood that you may be dealing with health issues as well. There is an HIV/HepC co-infection epidemic in this city, and the most vulnerable to water-borne illnesses are those with weakened immune systems. The elderly, who make up a large segment of the low income population are also at risk. CBC, at least, has been addressing the issue. The other news outlets have been focusing on how hard it is to get a cup of coffee in the city's coffee shops. Priorities anyone?
I'll just keep boiling away here and hoping that the rainwater doesn't bring the roof crashing down.
I think, despite the inconvenience, that there are some positive aspects to the boil water advisory. If nothing else, it should make people start realizing how much we take clean water for granted and how easily our supply can be imperiled. Unclean water is a reality for most of the people in the world, when it is available at all. Even in Canada, where a large percentage of the world's clean water rests, 76 First Nation reserves have been under long standing boil water advisories. Some communities are facing the issue of relocation due to unclean water. And here in the city, we waste it just cuz we can. We use pure tap water to clean our cars, hose down the sidewalk, flush our toilets and water our ugly lawns.
The negative impacts are felt most by the poorest populations in the city. Access to good water is already an issue, and now people are going for days without drinking, because it's not safe. This is a public health issue in more ways than one: if you are street involved, or living in an SRO, there is a likehood that you may be dealing with health issues as well. There is an HIV/HepC co-infection epidemic in this city, and the most vulnerable to water-borne illnesses are those with weakened immune systems. The elderly, who make up a large segment of the low income population are also at risk. CBC, at least, has been addressing the issue. The other news outlets have been focusing on how hard it is to get a cup of coffee in the city's coffee shops. Priorities anyone?
I'll just keep boiling away here and hoping that the rainwater doesn't bring the roof crashing down.
posted by grad student hack at 10:54 AM
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